GUJRAT: In a surprise move, the arch rival PML-Q has announced support for PML-N nominee Nawabzada Matloob Mehdi for the NA-63 (Jhelum) by-poll scheduled for Aug 31.

Jamaat-i-Islami has also decided to support the ruling party aspirant.

PML-Q organizer in Punjab and a close aide of Chaudharys of Gujrat, Raja Muhammad Basharat made the announcement in Jhelum on Saturday. He was accompanied by party’s local leader Chaudhary Arif.

Mr Mehdi is the scion of former PML-N MNA Nawabzada Iqbal Mehdi who died in a New Delhi hospital a few months ago. The NA-63 by-poll was delayed due to incomplete Election Commission of Pakistan.

Following the nomination of the ECP members, the election schedule was revised.

Raja Basharat made it clear the PML-Q move should not be seen as an electoral alliance.

He said since the late Nawabzada Iqbal Mehdi commanded huge respect in all political circles here, the party had decided to honour him.

The main contest on this seat is between the PML-N nominee and PTI’s Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, who had contested the last general elections of 2013 as a PML-Q candidate.

Fawad has meanwhile claimed winning the support of Pakistan Awami Tehreek.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2016