SIALKOT, Sept 29: A known convict is openly participating in the election campaign of PML-QA candidates here.

Former MNA Chaudhry Akhtar Ali Variyo, who has been convicted by an accountability court in more than one corruption cases but never arrested, spoke at a public meeting at his residence (Variyo House) in the presence of a large number of law-enforcement personnel who, however, did not dare arrest him.

In his speech, the head of Variyo family asked the people to vote for PML-QA for ensuring prosperity and political stability in the country and strengthening the hands of President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

All PML-QA candidates in the district, including former federal minister Chaudhry Ameer Hussain, Advocate Chaudhry Javaid Mehdi, former provincial minister Chaudhry Khush Akhtar Subhani (PP-125), ex-MPA Chaudhry Armughan Subhani (PP-127) and Tariq Subhani, and a large number of UC Nazims, Naib Nazims and councillors were present on the occasion.

The convict had also campaigned for the PML-QA candidates in local government elections, who later became Nazim and Naib Nazim of the district.