By-elections: PPP has concerns over candidate in NA-185, says Shazia Marri

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Shazia Marri has said that the PPP has concerns regarding their candidate in NA-185, and the party will stand with the candidate over these issues.

Speaking on HUM News’ program “Faisla Aap Ka”, Shazia Marri said that Dost Muhammad Khosa had challenged the election results in a press conference, and the PPP does not intend to leave the field vacant.

She added that the party always tries to remain present in the political arena, regardless of circumstances, emphasizing that where there is democracy, there should be a level playing field in elections. She also noted that Mian Ilmdar Qureshi had won the 2024 elections.

Marri further said that Mian Ilmdar Qureshi resigned following allegations and that he has now won elections with an 11,000-vote lead. She added that he had contested the 2024 elections on a PPP ticket and continues to do so today.

She stressed that the Election Commission is an independent body and must function freely. While acknowledging that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) holds a majority, she said the party does not yet have a two-thirds majority.

Marri also mentioned that an agreement was reached with PML-N at the time of the formation of the government, but full implementation of the agreement has not taken place. She said that PPP continues to support the federal government, noting that some ethical values are also important and decisions are not made solely on numbers.