UPPER DIR, Dec 2: Candidates belonging to almost all political parties have not yet launched campaign for the Jan 8 elections owing to uncertainty fuelled by reports of a possible poll boycott by the Jamaat-i-Islami, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf.

There are also interparty differences over the allotment of party tickets.

The All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) has called upon Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party and Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam to join them in the boycott.

However, Maulana Fazl has categorically said that the JUI (F) will not boycott the election while Benazir Bhutto has stressed for a consensus decision by opposition parties.

Candidates of the JI from Upper and Lower Dir districts, considered to be the strongholds of the religious party, are in a fix due to the party’s announcement of boycott.

They are hoping that the Jamaat leadership would review the decision.

According to local JI activists, the party has a fair chance to sweep the elections in the two districts as their candidates have a massive support from people.

“The party should not repeat the blunder of 1997 when it boycotted the elections,” they said.

The Jamaat has nominated Maulana Asadullah for NA-33, ex-provincial health minister Inayatullah for FP-91, former MPA Fareed Khan for FP-92 and Malik Bahram Khan for PF-93.

The Sahibzada family has been opposing a couple of party-nominated candidates.

Sahibzada Sibghatullah has submitted nomination papers for NA-33 against JI’s Maulana Asadullah.

People believe Sibghatullah could win the National Assembly seat by defeating PPP stalwart Najmuddin Khan.

Sahibzada Sanaullah has submitted papers from FP-93 and Sahibzada Fasihullah from NA-33 and PF-91.

The PPP has not announced its final candidates.

Party’s provincial general secretary is facing opposition for his candidature from three constituencies, NA-33, PF-91 and PF-92.

Hasham Hussain has submitted nomination papers from PF-91 and refused to withdraw.

Najmuddin is also in the run from NA-33 and PF-91.

A meeting held at the resident of Najmuddin did not reach a decision on finalising candidates.