PTI launches Local Government election campaign in Punjab

Lahore: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Punjab Organiser Chaudhry Sarwar on Wednesday officially launched the Local Government election campaign calling applications for party tickets from July 1 to July 15 on a specifically designed application form. The PTI has also uploaded application forms on its website.

Speaking at the campaign launch at a local hotel on Wednesday, Mr Sarwar said the shortlisted candidates would be awarded tickets till July 30 and appeals would be accepted till August 3. The final list of PTI candidates will be displayed on August 10.

The PTI Punjab organizer said that he in consultation with the party chief as well as central and national organizers had constituted Local Government Candidate Selection Boards to award tickets for the LG elections. He said the Candidate Selection Boards would be headed by the PTI National Assembly or Punjab Assembly potential candidate of the respective constituency. He said candidates would be selected in due consultation with respective constituency leaders and workers. He assured that no parachute candidate would be awarded party ticket without due consultation with the party leaders and workers concerned.

During the award of tickets, Mr Sarwar said all organizers and party office-bearers would be required to abide by the party code of conduct and cautioned that the party would observe zero tolerance with regard to financial corruption. He said district/ city executive councils had also been constituted, which would constitute Tehsil executive Councils for decentralization.

Even before coming to Pakistan, Ch Sarwar said he had always campaigned for local government system in the country as this system had the potential to take country forward. He said many problems in the society could be resolved by just implementing the LG system in its true letter and spirit.

The PTI Punjab organizer said the upcoming LG elections should be held between political parties and bureaucracy should not interfere or become part of the election by taking sides. He warned that the party leaders and workers would besiege bureaucracy, if it tried to become party with the PML-N in the LG elections. He stressed that the elections must be held in a free and transparent manner. He said the PTI would welcome, if Rangers would monitor the LG elections in Punjab.

Responding to a question, Mr Sarwar said the grouping within political parties was an international phenomena. He, however, said that he had ended some 90 per cent grouping while  re-organising the party.