Notwithstanding a call by the legal fraternity to boycott the Jan 8 general election, 253 lawyers are in the fray for the polls to the national and provincial assemblies.
ISLAMABAD: Notwithstanding a call by the legal fraternity to boycott the January 8 general election, Pakistan's 253 lawyers are in the fray for the polls to the national and provincial assemblies.
While a majority of the black coats are contesting as independents, 112 lawyers are fighting on tickets issued by various political parties.
Of these, 79 lawyers are contesting for the National Assembly (lower house of Parliament) seats and 174 for provincial assemblies.
The same number of members from the medical fraternity -- 253 -- are fighting it out for 98 National Assembly and 155 provincial assembly seats.
Seventy-five retired military officers are also taking part in the general election. Of these, 28 are contesting for the National Assembly while 47 for provincial assemblies.
According to the final list of candidates issued by the Election Commission, around 139 doctors are contesting polls on tickets of various political parties, while 114 are contesting as independent candidates.
The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) led by former Premier Benazir Bhutto has awarded tickets to 63 doctors, including 26 for the National Assembly and 37 for provincial assembly seats.
The ruling PML-Q has fielded five doctors for the National Assembly and 15 for provincial assembly seats. The PML-N of former Premier Nawaz Sharif awarded tickets to 10 doctors for the National Assembly and 17 for provincial assembly seats.
Islamic alliance Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) awarded tickets to five doctors for National Assembly and seven for provincial assembly seats.
The PPP has also awarded tickets to 16 lawyers for the National Assembly and to 38 for provincial assemblies.
However, top PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan, who is alsoPresident of the Supreme Court Bar Association, has withdrawn his nomination papers. Ahsan, who was detained after the imposition of emergency last month, is currently under house arrest.
For the National Assembly, 38 lawyers are contesting elections as independent candidates, while 102 others are contesting for provincial assemblies.
Sixteen retired military officers are contesting elections for the National assembly as independent candidates, while 15 others are contesting for provincial assemblies, according to the final list of candidates issued by the Election Commission.
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