Many top leaders to contest from Karachi

BILAWAL BHUTTO, CHAIRMAN OF PPP, PLEDGED HE WOULD DRASTICALLY CHANGE THE DESTINY OF KARACHI, WHERE HE WAS BORN, IF HE IS ELECTED.

ISLAMABAD: Karachi will be the centre of action during the July 25 general elections as several top leaders of Pakistan’s main political parties are contesting polls from the port city.

For the first time, three heads of parties, who are also aspiring to be the next prime minister, have chosen Karachi to contest the elections.

PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan People’s Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan have announced they will contest from the city and submitted nomination papers from separate constituencies.

They are also contesting in their home constituencies as well. Former dictator Pervez Musharraf and former Karachi mayor Mustafa Kamal, both of whom lead their own parties, will also contest from Karachi.

PML-N leaders submitted nomination papers on behalf of Sharif for three National Assembly seats on Monday. The PML-N has its stronghold in Punjab province and is not considered a key player in southern Sindh province, of which Karachi is the capital.

PTI chief Khan has submitted his nomination papers for National Assembly constituency 243, where the MQM-P has fielded the former opposition leader in the Sindh assembly, Khawaja Izharul Hasan. Former deputy speaker of the Sindh assembly, Shehla Raza, will be contesting for the PPP.

PPP chairman Bilawal, like his parents, has decided to contest from the densely populated Lyari area, still considered a party stronghold.