The PTI would not field any candidate against Sheikh Rashid Ahmed in the NA-55 constituency, while the AML would support it on two provincial constituencies of PP-11 and PP-12 (both falling under the NA-55), according to the sources.
Taken after long deliberations at a meeting between Imran Khan and Sheikh Rashid Ahmed in Bani Gala area, this decision would ultimately benefit the latter.
Nevertheless, the meeting could not reach any adjustment plan about the constituencies of NA-56, PP-13 and PP-14.
“Sheikh Rashid Ahmed asked the PTI chief to allow him to contest on both NA-55 and NA-56, but it was not acknowledged by Imran Khan owing to immense pressure from PTI leaders in Rawalpindi,” claimed the sources.
Earlier, there was a standoff between the two sides over the issue of fielding candidate(s) in NA-56.
About Ahmed’s invitation to Khan to contest election from NA-56, a senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader said “Certainly, Imran Khan is not going to accept it.”
The sources further said that a final round of meeting between the two leaders on August 12 would finalise seat adjustment for the constituencies of NA-56, PP-13 and PP-14.
It would be Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s first electoral alliance with any political group in the country. The PTI chief had announced that his party would not forge an alliance with any parties in the ruling coalition.
Agencies add: Both the leaders will hold another meeting before the Liaquat Bagh public gathering. Imran Khan is expected to announce the alliance formally during a public gathering at Liaquat Bagh on August 13.
In December 2011, reports had revealed that Sheikh Rashid Ahmed requested for a merger between AML and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, but no final decision was taken.