FAISALABAD, July 10: Political activities have gained momentum in the district, as aspirants for local-body seats are making efforts to muster support of political heavyweights and notables of their respective areas.

Around 95 per cent of former nazims and naib nazims of the 289 union councils are once again trying their luck to get to the slots while the candidates who had contested the local elections in 2001 are also in the field.

Similarly, a majority of the candidates for the top slots of the district and tehsil/town councils is the same. Some new faces, however, may exploit their wealth and political affiliations to win support of the ruling PML, besides high-ranking police and civil bureaucrats.

For the seat of city district nazim, former district nazim Zahid Nazir, former naib nazim Raza Nasrullah Ghumman, Rana Zahid Mahmood, a newcomer, former city tehsil nazim Mumtaz Ali Cheema and ex-MNA Mian Amjad Yaseen, husband of PML MNA Riffat Amjad are in the field.

However, no formal announcement has been made about support of any candidate.

PPP MPA Raja Riaz Ahmad, MMA District President Sardar Zafar Husain, former MNA Rana Zahid Tauseef, who is brother of sitting PML-N MNA Rana Asif Tauseef, are also in the race for the top slot.

After the issuance of notification of the City District Government and formation of eight town councils — Lyallpur Town, Jinnah Town, Madina Town, Iqbal Town, Chak Jhumra Town, Samundri Town, Tandlianwala Town and Jaranwala Town — several big gun are brooding over contesting the election.

Known political leaders, ministers, members of parliament and office-bearers of various parties are openly announcing that they will field their own candidates, though the polls will be conducted on a non-party basis.

The PPP local leadership formed a group called Awam Dost Group under which it will field its candidates for all seats of the union councils, tehsil and town councils, besides the CDG.

Punjab PPP Secretary-General Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan is directly supervising nominations and support of candidates. The group is, however, being headed by former MPA Raja Safdar Husain.

The PML-N has announced that it will take part in the local council elections under the umbrella of Sharif Ittehad Group. Former MNA Chaudhry Sher Ali and PML-N City President Khwaja Muhammad Islam, an ex-MPA, have been authorized to review the situation and recommend the candidates for the polls.

In the previous local elections, the PML-N failed to clinch any seat in the district despite having support by the electorates. It is believed that the dismal show was the outcome of Chaudhry Sher’s absence, who was in the custody of the NAB in Attock Fort. This time, however, he is active for fielding and canvassing for the candidates.

On the other hand, the PML local leaders are themselves in the race. Zahid Nazir, ex-district nazim who is brother of PML District President Asim Nazir, stands a bright chance of regaining the position.

Similarly, city president Mumtaz Ali Cheema, who is currently abroad, is also an active candidate for the city council.