HYDERABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is in serious talks with Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan-Imam Noorani (JUP-I) leader Owais Noorani Siddiqui, son of late Allama Shah Ahmed Noorani, over adjustment on a National Assembly seat in Hyderabad.

PPP has finalised names of its candidates for all constituencies of Hyderabad but NA-220 (Hyderabad city). “The party leadership is talking to Owais Noorani Siddiqui on this seat,” said Sindh PPP information secretary Ajiz Dhamra, who is himself the party’s candidate for PS-64 (Hyderabad city).

He had lost this seat to MQM-P in 2018 polls.

PPP had withdrawn its candidate, Dr Irfan Gul Magsi, from NA-220 in favour of JUP-Noorani leader Sahibzada Abul Khair Mohammad Zubair in 2018 polls. Zubair had lost to MQM-P.

“I am holding talks with all parties including PPP for adjustment on seats,” said Noorani over phone. His father had contested general elections from Hyderabad in 1988 and then in 1993 but lost to MQM-P’s Aftab Ahmed Shaikh.

In 2002 general elections late Noorani had nominated Zubair as Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal candidate for the city’s constituency. Zubair had defeated MQM’s Aftab Ahmed Sheikh by a small margin along with MMA’s Abdul Rehman Rajput who also trounced MQM-P’s late Farooq Qureshi on PS-45.

Presently, Noorani and Zubair lead their separate factions of JUP. Jan 12 is last date for withdrawal of candidatures. It was learnt that Noorani had sought adjustments on NA-220 and PS-65 but PPP had finalised the name of Haji Fareed Qureshi for PS-65 and kept its decision pending on NA-220.

Dr Magsi has applied for this seat again. Noorani believed that recent delimitations might favour him on NA-220.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2024