PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Photo: File 

MULTAN: Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi lamented on Sunday the Election Commission of Pakistan?s bar on lawmakers from campaigning in Lahore?s NA-120 constituency.

Speaking to the media, the PTI vice-chairman said nevertheless, the party intends to shore up support for its by-election candidate, Yasmin Rashid, by holding a rally in Lahore on September 14.

The by-election, due on September 17, is expected to be a tough contest between PML-N?s Kulsoom Nawaz ? presently undergoing medical treatment in London ? and PTI?s Rashid.

Will participate wholeheartedly in NA-120 by-poll: Imran

Outcome of NA-120 by-poll will be a test of Pakistan's public, Khan said while addressing the media in Lahore

Qureshi said God willing our workers will ensure victory for the party candidate. ?We will wake up Lahore?s residents on September 14,? he vowed.

Replying to a question regarding the foreign minister?s expected tour of ?friendly? countries following the US president?s ?anti-Pakistan? policy announcement earlier this week, Qureshi said, ?We wanted the foreign minister to take the National Assembly on board?.

He also appreciated the government?s decision to call the assembly?s session on Tuesday, saying ?we want to know the government?s stance?.

?This is a national issue, we all need to stand together and give a befitting reply to [US president] Trump and [Indian premier] Modi,? said Qureshi, who served as the foreign minister in the previous Pakistan Peoples Party government.

Pakistan to take regional consensus over Trump?s new policy: Khawaja Asif

The foreign minister said he would also go to the United States soon

Qureshi said he is glad that Iran, Turkey, China and Russia have stood by Pakistan following Trump?s new policy.

Replying to a question, he said former premier Nawaz Sharif is making a mistake going against the judiciary. ?His own senior party members are against this approach,? claimed Qureshi, predicting that if this line of approach continues, the party will certainly split.

?He?s raising fingers against the army and judiciary,? said the PTI leader.