Islamabad: Hafiz Saeed-led Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) has fielded its candidate for the upcoming by-election in a Lahore constituency for the National Assembly vacated by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who was disqualified last month.
The JuD candidate filed nomination papers for NA-120 under the banner of Milli Muslim League (MML) which is yet to be registered as a political party.
Officially, however, Muhammad Yaqoob Sheikh has filed his nomination with the Election Commission of Pakistan as an independent candidate as the MML awaits registration as a recognised party.
Earlier, ousted Premier Nawaz Sharif’s wife Kalsoom Nawaz filed her nomination papers for NA-120 seat. Her most powerful rival for the September 17 by-election in this Lahore constituency, Dr Yasmin Rashid of the Opposition Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf has also filed her nomination papers.
A pitched electoral battle is expected as this by-election, just months ahead of the next general elections, will have a large bearing on the future political standing of both the rivals parties.
JuD chief Saeed is the mastermind behind 26/11 Mumbai terror attack and is currently under house arrest.
