The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has withdrawn its ticket from the party’s nominee Rafiullah Chamkani for the upcoming by-election in the NA-45 constituency, Kurram-1. 

In a letter addressed to the secretary of the Election Commission of Pakistan, PPP Secretary General Farhatullah Babar has informed the ECP that Rafiullah ceases to be the party’s candidate. Babar requested the ECP secretary not to print Rafiullah’s name on the ballot papers as PPP candidate. The ECP has issued a list of 27 candidates for the by-election. 

Earlier, the PPP and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), key members of the Pakistan Democratic Movement, an alliance of 11 opposition parties currently trying to topple the federal government led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), failed to agree on a joint candidate for the Feb 19 by-election in NA-45 (Kurram-I).

Both PPP and JUI-F were holding talks on the alliance amid efforts by other PDM members to convince them to field a joint candidate against the PTI nominee.

Candidates are busy in electioneering despite harsh weather conditions. A close contest is expected among Jamil Chamkani of the JUI-F, Fakhar Zaman of the PTI, Rafiullah Chamkani and independent candidate Said Jamal.