Khaleej Times

Excited expatriate­s head home to vote

MaNy havE TravELLEd Or arE pLaNNINg TO TravEL TOday TO bE ThErE IN TIME

- REPORTING FROM LAHORE Asma Ali Zain asmaalizai­n@khaleejtim­es.com

While Pakistanis residing in the country are excited to vote in the upcoming general elections, expats too are not lagging behind in patriotism.

Many have travelled or are planning to travel today from the world over to be there in time to vote for the elections that are taking place on July 25.

Mohammed Amin Sargana, a Dubai resident and focal person for the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) who travelled to Lahore on Monday told Khaleej Times that his entire family would vote for different political parties.

“I am a die-hard supporter of the PPP and will vote for them because that political party has done a lot for me,” he said.

But this time, Sargana will not cast his vote because PPP has no candidate in Jhang, Punjab, where Sargana’s vote is registered.

His wife, however, is a supporter of the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawa­z (PML-N). “My entire family

Last time I had voted for the Muslim League but this time I want change. Elections will be free and fair this time

Syed Muntasir Baqir, a safety officer in Dubai

Imran has a way with youngsters and he shows us the way forward. We hope for change and, therefore, my vote is for Imran Rubab Farhat,

travelling from the US

I am a die-hard supporter of the PPP and will vote for them because that political party has done a lot for me

Mohammed Amin Sargana, a Dubai resident from Jhang

This time elections are different and we want to vote for better health and better laws to bring the change in the country Shahid Jamil,

a business traveller to Dubai

He (Imran) speaks the truth and is not corrupt. He said he will put Nawaz Sharif in jail and did that. He does what he says so my vote is for him

Kanwal, 28-year-old PTI supporter

supports this party due to caste and family reasons, so my vote will be for this party only,” she said.

Their son, Arsalan Amin, 21, is a supporter of Imran Khan, head of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and will be voting for the former cricketer for the first time.

Syed Muntasir Baqir, 30, who also specifical­ly travelled to cast his vote, said that he would vote for PTI. “Last time I had voted for the PMLN but this time I want change,” said the safety officer who has been in Dubai for three years.

He thinks that elections will be free and fair this time.

Shahid Jamil, who travelled to Dubai for business and was travelling back to Lahore, said that he will vote for PTI. “We all want change,” said Shahid who voted last time in 2013.

“This time elections are different and we want to vote for better health and better laws to bring the change,” he said.

Maryam Waqas, 22, who was on a visit to Dubai and travelling back in time to cast her vote said that she will vote for PTI. “My entire family supports Imran Khan and we will be voting for him,” she said.

Travelling all the way from the US, Rubab Farhat, 29, said her vote was for PTI. “Imran has a way with youngsters and he shows us the way forward. We hope for change and, therefore, my vote is for Imran,” she said. Kanwal, 28, who returned to Pakistan after a year and a half said that she was going to vote for PTI. “I voted for him last time as well and will do so this time too,” she said. “He speaks the truth and is not corrupt. He said he will put Nawaz Sharif in jail and he has done that. He does what he says so my vote is for him,” she added.

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