SWABI: Local leaders of various political parties might contest the next general election as independent candidates because it might be difficult for them to get the ticket due to slipping of their areas in the constituencies of the party heavyweights, according to political pundits.

After the latest delimitation, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl central deputy chief Maulana Fazal Ali and former provincial food minister Ghafoor Khan Jadoon belong to PK-43, Swabi-I. Earlier, Mr Ali was in PK-35, Swabi-V, and Mr Jadoon in PK-36, Swabi-VI. Sajjad Hussain, son of Mr Ghafoor, would contest the election.

Another such problem has surfaced in PK-44, Swabi-II. KP Assembly Speaker Asad Qaisar, PTI leader Shah Wali and Rangaiz Khan, who had finished as runner-up candidate in 2013 election, are all in this constituency now. Earlier, Mr Asad was in PK-35, Shah Wali in PK-31, Swabi-I, and Rangaiz Khan in PK-36. In 2013 election, when Mr Wali failed to get the PTI ticket he had contested election as independent candidate.

MPA Babar Salim, who recently joined PML-N, and Sajjad Khan were also residents of the same constituency of PK-44. Mr Sajjad had remained runner-up candidate in the last three elections. Earlier, Mr Salim was in PK-31 and Mr Sajjad in PK-35.

Bajaur people welcome allocation of another NA seat

ANP district general secretary Mohammad Islam and Amjid Khan of Chota Lahor now belong to PK-45 Swabi-III. Both had secured the party ticket to contest the upcoming election, as earlier Mr Islam was in PK-35 and Mr Amjid in PK-34, Swabi-IV.

KHAR: People from different walks of life have welcomed the proposed allocation of a new National Assembly seat for Bajaur Agency.

Talking to Dawn here, local lawmakers, elders and leaders of various political parties said that Bajaur deserved to get the third seat owing to its huge population.

PML-N MNA Shahabuddin said the move was in line with the longstanding demand of tribesmen as the current two seats were insufficient for the agency, the most populous region in the entire tribal areas.

However, he raised questions on fresh delimitation made by the Election Commission of Pakistan for the constituencies in Bajaur Agency and claimed that the process was undertaken against the sentiments of local people.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz youth wing provincial leader Nizamuddin Khan said the plan to allocate a new seat of National Assembly for Bajaur Agency would help to boost political activities in the region.

PTI local chapter senior vice-president Mohammad Saleem also lauded the move. However, he expressed dismay over what he called unnecessary changes in the constituencies for the upcoming general elections.

Former governor Shaukatullah Khan said the decision to increase the number of National Assembly seats was a step in the right direction, which would help increase the development funds for the remote areas of the agency. However, he also described as unjustified the fresh delimitation of National Assembly constituencies.

Meanwhile, the elders and politicians in Mamond tehsil rejected the proposed delimitation of the National Assembly constituencies in the region and termed it a conspiracy against the Mamond tribe.

They threatened to launch a protest movement if the decision was not reviewed. They made the announcement during a jirga held in Umary area of Mamond. Those who spoke on the occasion included JI local chapter chief Qari Abdul Majeed, PTI leader Gul Zafar Khan, PPP’s Saidur Rahman, JUI-F’s Gul Badsha, QWP’s Nawab Zada and tribal elders Sultan Zeb Khan and Shah Wali Khan. They called the proposed delimitation in the region a conspiracy to divide the Mamond tribe in two constituencies.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2018