[Kthzltje]

Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has reportedly finalised an electoral alliance with the Awami Muslim League (AML) in the upcoming elections, news reports quote sources as saying.
Reports said Wednesday that PTI chief Imran Khan met with AML president Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed at the former’s residence in Islamabad, where they finalised the formation of an electoral alliance.
Media reports added that both the leaders agreed to support each others’ candidates during the elections. Meanwhile, officials from both parties privy to the meeting said Khan and Sheikh had finalised the modalities vis-à-vis their cooperation in the upcoming general elections.
PTI also assured the AML that it will not nominate a candidate against Sheikh Rasheed.
Khan is expected to announce the alliance formally during a public gathering in Liaquat Bagh on August 13.
In December 2011, sources had revealed that Ahmed requested for a merger between AML and the PTI, but no final decision was taken. A party official had said that the PTI might not go for an alliance with any political party.
Rasheed, once an undefeated candidate in his constituency (Rawalpindi), has lost three times—2008 general polls and two by-elections since then—against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidates.
Sheikh’s associates were hopeful that this alliance could help Rasheed win back his lost seat.