HYDERABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is in serious talks with Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan-Imam Noorani (JUP-l) leader Owais Noorani Siddiqui, son of late Allama Shah Ahmed Noorani, over adjustment on a National Assembly seat in Hyderabad.

PPP has finalised names of its candidates for all constituencies of Hyderabad but NA-220 (Hyderabad city). `The party leadership is talking to Owais Noorani Siddiqui on this seat,` said Sindh PPP information secretary Ajiz Dhamra, who is himself the party`s candidate for PS-64 (Hyderabad city).

He had lost this seat to MQM-P in 2018 polls.

PPP had withdrawn its candidate, Dr Irfan Gul Magsi, from NA-220 in favour of JUP-Noorani leader Sahibzada Abul Khair Mohammad Zubair in 2018 polls. Zubair had lost to MQM-P.

`I am holding talks with all parties including PPP for adjustment on seats,` said Noorani over phone. His father had contested general elections from Hyderabad in 1988 and then in 1993 but lost to MQMP`s Aftab Ahmed Shaikh.

In 2002 general elections late Noorani had nominated Zubair as Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal candidate for the city`s constituency. Zubair had defeated MQM`s Aftab Ahmed Sheikh by a small margin along with MMA`s Abdul Rehman Rajput who also trounced MQM-P`s late Farooq Qureshi on PS-45.

Presently, Noorani and Zubair lead their separate factions of JUP. Jan 12 is last date for withdrawal of candidatures. It was learnt that Noorani had sought adjustments on NA220 and PS-65 but PPP had finalised the name of Haji Fareed Qureshi for PS-65 and kept its decision pending on NA-220.

Dr Magsi has applied for this seat again.

Noorani believed that recent delimitations might favour him on NA-220.