PPP lets go of its ‘arrow’ as party gets original sword symbol back

After more than 40 years, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will use its original electoral symbol 'sword' to contest the upcoming elections on July 25.

The PPP had filed an application in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to get the 'sword' symbol for the upcoming election. The application was filed by PPP Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari. The ECP then allotted them the 'sword' symbol that they had been seeking.

Previously, the PPP had been contesting the elections with the ‘arrow’ symbol after they had been barred from using the 'sword' symbol. The 'sword' symbol had been removed after General Zia-ul-Haq imposed martial law in the country after the 1977 general elections.

Meanwhile, other major political parties have opted to contest elections with their associated symbols. Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz will be contesting with ‘Lion’, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will be contesting with ‘Bat’ symbol, whereas Muttahida Qaumi Movement - Pakistan will be using its 'Kite’ symbol.

Similarly, ECP allotted election symbol  'arrow' to Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, 'lantern' to Awami National Party, 'star' symbol to the Grand Democratic Alliance.