Political parties, independents in Pakistan set for final power show

As Pakistan gears up for the July 25 general elections, political parties have redoubled efforts to secure votes from across the country.

Monday marks the last day for candidates to campaign for votes and the political parties must conclude their electoral campaign by midnight.

Hence, all political parties are geared up for their last day of campaigning.

The poll body also issued a code of conduct to political parties and independents. Print and electronic media will also be barred from carrying advertisements promoting the parties.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif will attend rallies in Punjab's Dera Ghazi Khan and Rawalpindi to address the party's stronghold areas in the province, the Express Tribune reported.

His son Hamza Shehbaz will lead a rally in Lahore. Tensions have increased in the country since the jailing of PML-N leader and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar Awan.

The three-time Premier claims that the military is aiding a "judicial witch-hunt" to prevent the PML-N from winning a second term in power.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's chief Imran Khan dedicated the party's last campaigning day to the provincial capital of Lahore.

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the son of assassinated former Premier Benazir Bhutto, will address rallies in Sindh's Jacobabad and Shikarpur.

Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal -- a political alliance consisting of conservative, Islamist, religious and far-right parties -- will have a show of strength in Islamabad.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement will be flaunting their popularity at Karachi's Liaquatabad locality.

The government has enhanced security across the country ahead of polls as there has been a series of terrorist attacks at political rallies earlier this month, which killed at least 180 people and injured over 200.

Pakistan is going to hold general elections for the National Assembly -- the Lower House of the country's Parliament -- and four provincial Assemblies. Following the elections, the National Assembly will elect the country's new Prime Minister.

The Army has announced that it would play its due role to support the Election Commission to conduct the polls in a peaceful atmosphere by deploying 371,388 security personnel at the 85,300 polling stations to ensure security.

--IANS

soni/sed