The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) has decided to try its luck in Karachi, the country's largest city and commercial hub, by fielding its top leaders Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz in the upcoming elections, sources said on Thursday.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel report, the PML-N has agreed on seat adjustment with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and other allied parties in 11 seats of the National Assembly in Karachi.
However, the seat of Baldia Town, where Shehbaz Sharif had lost against PTI's Faisal Vawda by a few hundred votes in 2018, remains undecided as both MQM and PML-N want to field their candidates from there. A final decision is expected in the next meeting with the MQM, the sources said.
The sources said the final decision to give tickets from Karachi will be taken in the parliamentary session on December 18, where party supremo Nawaz Sharif will meet all the party candidates during his visit to Sindh.
The sources revealed that Shehbaz Sharif will contest from NA 242 Kemari 1, while Maryam Nawaz will contest from NA 230 Malir 2.
Other candidates include JUP's Awais Noorani from NA 240 South 2, former Governor Sindh Muhammad Zubair from NA 241 South 3, Qadir Bakhsh from NA 229 Malir 1, Zain Ansari from NA 231 Malir 3, Rehan Shaikh from NA 237 Ferozeabad, Abdullah Dasti from NA 239 Lyari District South and NA 243 Salman Khan from Kemari 2.
The PML-N hopes to win the support of the Urdu-speaking voters in Karachi, who have traditionally voted for the MQM, by forming an alliance with the party and offering development projects for the city.
The party also aims to challenge the ruling PTI, which won most of the seats in Karachi in the last election.
Reporter: Taha Malik