Nawaz, BB join election battle
By Asim Hussain

ISLAMABAD—Former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto, Mian Nawaz Sharif,Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain were among the leading politicians who filed their nomination papers on Monday, the last day for filing nomination papers with the returning officers.
Chairperson of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto here Monday filed her nomination papers for NA-204 Larkana-I and NA-207 Larkana-cum-Shikarpur-cum-Kamber- Shahdadkot (Old Larkana-IV).Her nomination papers will be scrutinized on November 29.
Quaid Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Mian Nawaz Sharif filed nomination papers from NA-120 while his younger brother and President PML-N Mian Shahbaz Sharif filed his nomination papers for NA-119. Former prime minister and President Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain filed his nomination papers for NA-112, Sialkot here on Monday.
Talking to reporters after filing the nomination papers here, he welcomed the return of Mian Nawaz Sharif President (PML-N) and Benazir Bhutto and said that their presence in the country would be supportive in further strengthening the democratic process in the country.
Leader of Muttahida Majlis Amal (MMA) and former leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Maulana Fazlur Rehman Monday filed his nomination papers for NA-24 Dera Ismail his nomination papers to Returning Officer Muhammad Naseem Khan. Later talking to mediamen, Maulana Fazlur Rehman urged the opposition parties to work jointly for the restoration of democracy.
Saifullah brothers have formally jumped in the election race from their native district Lakki Marwat as former federal Minister for Petroleum Anwar Saifullah Khan and elder brother Humayun Saifullah Khan filed papers for PF-75 and NA-27 respectively on Monday. Saifullah brothers, leading big processions of their supporters and well wishers submitted their nomination papers with the Returning Officers. Humayun Saifullah Khan has resigned from the post of district nazim Lakki and opted to contest the general elections for national assembly constituency. Anwar Saifullah is the son-in-law of former President Ghulam Ishaq Khan.
Eight candidates have filed nomination papers for NA-32 Chitral. Former MNA Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali (Jamaat-e-Islami), former MNA Shahzada Mohiuddin (PML-Q), Abdul Wali Khan Advocate (PPP-Sherpao), Ghulam Mohiuddin Advocate (PPP Parliamentarian) and three independents were the candidates who filed the nomination papers with the returning officer.
Former speaker of the National Assembly (NA) Illahi Bux Soomro, former Federal Minister Ghous Bux Khan Mahar,PPP leader Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Islamuddin Shaikh, Manzoor Hussain Wassan, and former provincial minister Syed Saddaruddin Shah Rashidi,Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh were among over 200 candidates who filed nomination papers for the National and Provincial assembly seats in different districts on Monday.
In Naushahro Feroze district, 40 candidates filed forms for two NA and five PS seats. In Shikarpur district, 11 candidates including former provincial minister Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh, Dr Ibrahim Jatoi, Ghous Bux Khan Mahar and others filed forms for NA-202.
In Jacobabad, former speaker of National Assembly Illahi Bux Soomro and Ghous Bux Khan Mahar filed forms for NA-208. In Khairpur district Sayed Sadaruddin Shah from NA-216, PS-32 and PS-30, Sayed Javed Ali Shah Jillani, Zafar Iqbal Bilal from PS-29, Sayed Kazim Ali Shah from NA-217, Dr Rafique Bhabhan from PS-31 and Sayed Bagan Shah from PS-33.