*MULTAN: *The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has once again failed toconvince disenchanted members from south Punjab to contest the forthcominggeneral elections on party tickets. PPP hopes for taking even few seatsfrom South Punjab have faced setback as none of the prominent member isready to contest elections on PPP platform.

Former minister Abdul Qayum Jatoi has announced he will contest the pollsas an independent candidate. Former minister for religious affairs HamidSaeed Kazmi also announced he would be contesting from NA-175 Liaquatpur asan independent candidate.

Former president Asif Ali Zardari came to convince Hamid Saeed Kazmi toaccept a party ticket but returned with no success to show after aone-hour. There is also speculation that both Jatoi and Kazmi will joinPakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) due to the PPP’s weak standing in the region.

The PPP is reportedly aiming to gain five National Assembly seats in thecountry’s largest province. When reached for comments on the meeting, Kazmitold that he was not some obscure personality identified as a PPP leader inplace of his own name. He said Asif Ali Zardari and Makhdoom Ahmad Mahmoodinvite him to contest elections from NA-176 but he respectfully declined.

Kazmi also said it was premature to reveal which party he will join afteremerging victorious in the polls. He said the ballot would also hold amirror to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), with its stance on theFinality of Prophethood and the 2008 Mumbai carnage compromising nationalunity.