ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday allotted election symbols to a large number of political parties aspiring to contest the forthcoming general elections scheduled on July 26.
According to details, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were allotted the symbols of lion and bat, respectively, whereas the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) under the leadership of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari picked a symbol of sword instead of arrow this time.
The PPP submitted a request to the ECP for replacing the symbol of arrow with sword, contending that the party under the leadership of its founder Zulifkar Ali Bhutto had contested the elections of 1970 and 1977 with this symbol.
The Chief Election Commissioner Justice retired Sardar Raza granted the party’s request, allowing it to contest general elections with the symbol of sword.
The Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) whose official head is Asif Ali Zardari was allotted the symbol of arrow.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) was allotted the symbol of kite on a request by party senior deputy convener Amir Khan.
As per party’s constitution, senior deputy convener exercises all powers in the absence of party convener.
Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q) this time picked tractor as election symbol instead of cycle. Whereas, the Awami National Party (ANP) was allowed to contest elections with the symbol of lantern.
The Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) – an alliance of religio-political parties – opted for the symbol of book and Grand Democratic Alliance for star.
The PTI-Gulalai will contest general elections for the first time with the symbol of racquet under the leadership of Ayesha Gulalai, the disgruntled lawmaker who accused PTI chief Imran Khan of sexually harassing party women.
Aggrieved at the decision, Gulalai, however, has decided to approach the court against the ECP for allotting a symbol of racquet instead of bat.
 on Tuesday allotted election symbols to a large number of political parties aspiring to contest the forthcoming general elections scheduled on July 26.){kind=link}