PML-N and PPP Discuss Seat Adjustment in KP By-Elections

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) are in talks over possible seat adjustments for upcoming by-elections in two National Assembly constituencies of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, sources said on Thursday.

According to party insiders, discussions between the two coalition partners are ongoing, and a final decision is expected soon. The PPP has shown interest in contesting from Chitral’s National Assembly seat, while the PML-N is eyeing the NA-18 Haripur constituency.

Read More:PML-N and PPP Talks End Without Any Positive Results

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had earlier de-notified several lawmakers, including Omar Ayub Khan, the former Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and a senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, who was elected from NA-18 Haripur. The disqualification came in August after convictions in the May 9, 2023 cases.

As per the ECP, the members were disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution, which bars individuals sentenced to imprisonment of two years or more from holding public office.

Both the PML-N and PPP are expected to finalize their strategy for the by-polls in the coming days.

Read More:PML-N and PPP announce alliance for upcoming by-elections

In a joint press conference, PPP leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf stated that both parties will contest the by-elections under a mutual seat-adjustment formula. According to the agreement, the party that was the runner-up in a given constituency will field the candidate.

Raja Pervaiz Ashraf welcomed the PML-N delegation and thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, adding that the alliance was finalised smoothly and with consensus.