LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has announced a `mass contact` drive for the upcoming local government elections in Punjab.

The announcement came following a meeting between PTI Central Organiser Jahangir Tareen and Punjab Organiser Chaudhry Sarwar here on Tuesday.

Both party leaders discussed the national political landscape and the upcoming local elections.

Speaking at a joint press conference after the meeting, both leaders said the party would hold public meetings, rallies and gatherings in every nook and corner of Punjab. Tareen was satisfied with the preparations made by the Punjab chapter for the elections due this September.

Responding to a query, Sarwar said leaders and workers from other parties were joining the PTI unconditionally. He categorically stated that the decision to award party tickets in the upcoming elections would be taken purely on merit and by the parliamentary boards of each district. Any grievances on awarding of tickets would also be heard. He said 28 district organisers had been appointed so far in central Punjab in consultation with local party workers.

`There is no grouping in the PTI Punjab now,` he claimed, adding that party chief Imran Khan`s ideologyof merit and honesty was the only thing driving the party.

`Naya Pakistan is not a distant dream and a clear victory of PTI in local body elections is possible due to people`s trust on the party and its leadership,` he added.

Responding to a question, the former governor said the misplaced XIV and XV forms of the Election Commission was the strongest proof of rigging in the 2013 general elections.

`How can an election be fair when the election commission does not have documents containing record of votes polled for and against any candidate,` he questioned.

Tareen said the PML-N government and its ministers were telling the public `blatant lies` about no rigging in the elections.

`Absence of forms XIV and XV, printing 105pc more ballots for 71 constituencies of Punjab and two of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 110pc more ballots for seven constituencies of Lahore are facts enough to prove massive rigging in elections,` he said.

That is why, he added, Imran Khan quoted 71pc rather than 35 in his press conference. He said the report of the judicial commission seized with probing the polls rigging could expose the PML-N.

He also lamented the government`s inefficiency in solving the power crisis and instead building projects like metro bus, etc.