ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced that it will begin its Punjab election campaign from tomorrow (Monday), despite uncertainty surrounding the holding of polls.
PTI Secretary General Asad Umar said in a tweet: “Tehreek-e-Insaf will formally start the election campaign in all constituencies of Punjab from tomorrow.”
“They (government) are ready or not, but we are ready,” he said.
کل سے انشاءاللہ پنجاب کے تمام حلقوں میں تحریک انصاف الیکشن مہم کا باقاعدہ آغاز کر دے گی۔ یہ تیار ہوں نہ ہوں، ہم تیار ہیں
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) April 23, 2023
Earlier this week, the PTI finalised a list of 297 candidates after party chairman Imran Khan held in-person interviews to select nominees on merit.
However, there have been objections within the party over allotment of tickets. Subsequently, the PTI on Thursday formed a four-member committee to address the concerns surrounding the distribution of tickets.
Uncertainty surrounding polls
The PTI’s announcement to launch its election campaign comes amid uncertainty about the holding of polls.
The Supreme Court, earlier this month, had ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold elections in Punjab on May 14. In its order on April 4, the apex court also directed the federal government to release Rs21 billion in funds for the ECP by April 10 as well as provide security for the elections.
However, the government has refused to issue funds for the polls after the Parliament rejected a proposal to do so.
Meanwhile, the defence ministry has also refused to provide security for the polls due to the ongoing security situation. The ministry on Tuesday requested the apex court to recall its April 4 order that fixed May 14 as the election date in Punjab.
The defence ministry’s plea is being heard by a three-member SC bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar. During the hearing on Thursday, CJP Bandial remarked the court will ensure that its decision fixing May 14 as election date in Punjab remains in place.
