Differences persist in the ranks of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over award of party tickets, it has been learnt. The PML-N parliamentary board, which met at the party's main office at Model Town on Saturday conducted interviews of the candidates desirous to get the PML-N tickets for contesting the upcoming elections.
The PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif chaired the meeting, which was attended by Nawaz Sharif, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Marriyam Aurangzeb, Khurrram Dastgir, Rana Tanveer, Mohammad Pervaiz Malik, Pervez Rasheed and others senior party members.
The sources claim that during the meeting of the PML-N parliamentary board, matter of award of party tickets to two NA and three Punjab Assembly seats to dissident party leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was also discussed.
In this regard, the sources claim there was difference of opinion in the party ranks. Those who are in favour of Nisar argued that he (Nisar) is asset of the party; hence, he must be given the party ticket. While Nisar's opponents insisted that since Nisar has not applied for the party ticket, therefore, he should not be awarded the tickets. Rather those who have applied for the party tickets from the constituencies Nisar is contesting should be given the party tickets, Nisar's opponents said, the sources said, adding: "Nisar should have applied for the party tickets like others."
The sources claim that the PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif is in favour of award of party tickets to Nisar Ali Khan and trying to convince the board members in this regard.
The sources further said the PML-N parliamentary board is also facing pressure in award of party tickets on women reserved seats. Most of the women candidates on reserve seats are relatives of party's leaders and former legislators, the sources said.
Around 70 percent of ticket holders will be those who were previously members of the national or provincial assemblies, the sources said, adding: "This has caused disappointment among young lot of PML-N who are desirous for party tickets."
The PML-N will announce party candidates for the national and provincial assembly constituencies for the general elections scheduled for July 25 in two phases. The first announcement regarding ticket holders will be announced on Sunday (today), the sources claimed.
Regarding Maryam Nawaz and Shahbaz, the sources said, "It appears that they both will contest elections from three constituencies each." It has been suggested to field Maryam Nawaz from Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi, the sources said.
Moreover, the sources said the counsel of Shahbaz Sharif has obtained nomination papers forms from returning officer for two NA and three PA seats.
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