Earlier reports had suggested that Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan leader Mustafa Kamal would withdraw his candidacy from NA-242 to allow Shehbaz to contest the elections.

Shehbaz’s candidacy for NA-242 was approved by the returning officer four days ago.

Pakistan Peoples Party candidate Masood Khan Mandokhail had challenged Shehbaz’s nomination papers citing the undeclared salary that he had drawn as prime minister.

In November, an MQM delegation including Kamal had called on Nawaz Sharif in Lahore where the two parties had announced they would jointly contest elections.

However, it later emerged that the details of a seat adjustment formula had not been worked out.

On the other hand, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif would contest the elections from NA-130 and his party ticket has been submitted to the returning officer.

Maryam Nawaz would contest elections from NA-119 and PP-159 (Lahore) while Hamza Shehbaz would contest polls from NA-118.

Ayaz Sadiq would contest polls from NA-120, Sheikh Rohail Asghar from NA-121, Saad Rafique from NA-122, and Shehbaz Sharif from NA-123.