KASUR: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf voters in PP-176 seem to be in a fix as two candidates (both female) are claiming to be party ticket holders.

Though PTI Punjab President Hammad Azhar on Monday released a video message, saying that Muzamal Masood Bhatti is the final ticket holder for PP-176, Nasira Meo in a video statement said she did not withdraw her candidature and is contesting election from the platform of PTI.

The party had initially awarded the ticket to Nasira Meo after Imran Khan dissolved the Punjab Assembly about a year ago, allowing her to commence her campaign during that time.

However, Muzamal Masood Bhatti was also awarded a ticket last month and has actively launched her campaign in the constituency.

PP-176 falls under NA-131, for which PTI had awarded the ticket to Maqsood Sabir Ansari.

Ansari, strategically engaging with both candidates, has been conducting corner meetings in various areas.

Nasira, hailing from the Meo clan, holds influence within the biradri, particularly in villages along the Pakistan-Indian border. Muzamal has support in the urban and rural areas of Mustafabad.

Nasira Meo, an Oxford graduate, previously served as the vice president of PPP Punjab. She contested the 2008 and 2013 elections under the PPP banner for the national assembly but switched to PTI in 2018 after being denied a ticket for NA-137, which was given to Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed.

Muzamal Masood Bhatti is the widow of late PTI leader Masood Bhatti, who was gunned down in 2014. Following his death, Muzamal stepped into the political arena and contested the 2018 elections as PTI nominee but could not succeed.

Political analysts says the current confusion may spoil the party’s vote and advise the local leadership to resolve the dispute between the two candidates.

They say once the ticket has been finalised, the other candidate should support the official ticket holder.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2024