Fida Hussnain Lahore
The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) prepared a list of national and provincial assembly constituencies for potential seat adjustments with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ahead of general elections, the sources privy to the development said on Sunday.
The IPP committee, comprising Ishaq Khakwani, Awn Chaudhry, and Nauman Langrial collaborated with top party leaders to formulate the lists of constituencies for seat adjustments.
The sources said that Jahangir Tareen-led IPP is seeking seat adjustments in 20 National Assembly seats—19 in Punjab and one in Karachi.
Besides it, they said, the IPP anticipated PML-N support for its candidates in 44 Punjab Assembly constituencies, with the list expected to be shared by the PML-N soon.
“If PML-N declines to accommodate IPP candidates at the national level, the two political entities will consider seat adjustments in the provincial constituency,” said the sources.
The IPP officially endorsed the decision to pursue seat adjustments with the PML-N in a recent meeting. Earlier reports suggested that PML-N had agreed to support IPP candidates in Lahore, Lodhran, and Sahiwal.
Allegedly, PML-N will back IPP senior leader Aleem Khan on NA seat in Lahore and Nauman Langrial on NA Sahiwal seat.
“The PML-N is likely not to field its candidates against IPP candidates Awn Chaudhry and Ishaq Khakwani,” said the sources.
The development followed a meeting between PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and IPP patron-in-chief Jahangir Tareen, where discussions took place with leaders from both parties.
The PML-N has been engaged in negotiations with various political parties across the province for seat adjustments in preparation for the general elections, which the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) scheduled for February 8, 2024, following a Supreme Court order.
