RAWALPINDI: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) on Thursday announced to support former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in NA-53 and in return got support from him in the provincial assembly seat of PP-19 in the garrison city.

       The decision was announced at a press conference by JUI-F district emir Dr Ziaur Rehman at Jamia Islamia Mosque Kamran Market, Saddar.

       However, Chaudhry Nisar, once a close aide to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and opposition leader in National Assembly from 2008 to 2013, did not arrive at the press conference and sent his secretary Sheikh Sajid instead.

       When contacted, JUI-F Rawalpindi chapter’s Hafiz Ziaullah Khan said Chaudhry Nisar had to attend a funeral prayer in his constituency so he changed the plan on Thursday morning.

       The nomination papers of the JUI-F candidate for NA-53 were rejected by the returning officer and the party had no other option but to support a suitable candidate. But in return, it got support of Chaudhry Nisar in PP-19, consisting of Dhoke Munshi, Chaklala and adjoining areas.

       To find your constituency and location of your polling booth, SMS your NIC number (no spaces) to 8300. Once you know your constituency, visit the ECP website here for candidates.

       Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2024