LAKKI MARWAT: Former JUI-F MPA Munawar Khan, Marwat Qaumi Ittehad-backed Malik Najibullah Khan and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf district president Johar Mohammad Khan are emerging as heavyweights for the PK-105 constituency in Lakki Marwat.

A total of 24 candidates are taking part in the elections on this seat, including Faheemullah Khan of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party.

Mr Munawar has won the seat thrice. In 2008, he had won the seat, then PK-76, as an independent candidate and then joined PML-N. Interestingly, he had defeated PML-N candidate and former provincial minister Anwar Kamal Khan.

Mr Munawar also won the seat in 2013 and 2018 on JUI-F ticket.

JUI-F, MQI and PTI hopefuls emerging heavyweights for seat

During his three consecutive terms as member the provincial assembly, Mr Munawar remained on the opposition benches.

Though his relatives and JUI-F leaders are actively engaged in poll drive to muster support for him, he would have to face strong political rivals, including Malik Najibullah of MQI of Saifullah brothers and other tribal chiefs and PTI’s Johar Mohammad.

Malik Najib and Johar are fighting for the provincial assembly seat as independent candidates.

Having a major vote bank in Kurrum Par area (a trans-river belt) Mr Najib is trying his luck for the second time. During last five years, he has managed to win the support of influential Saifullahs and several tribal elders to strengthen his position.

With the help of Saifullah brothers, he has consolidated his grip over electoral politics in the constituency. He is all set to give a tough time to Mr Munawar and Mr Johar.

Despite facing crackdown by the authorities, the PTI hopefuls are canvassing in the district without facing any apparent hindrance.

Johar Mohammad, who had remained runner-up in the 2018 elections, is optimistic to change the electoral history of the constituency.

Along with rural areas, his focus is also on the urban areas to reach every voter so as to consolidate his position. Though his party, which ruled the province for over nine years, could not launch any uplift project in this constituency, he could cash in on the ‘unsatisfactory’ performance of his archrival Munawar Khan to gather sympathies of electorate.

Several rural areas, especially Abakhel and Dallokhel, are considered the strongholds of the PTI leader, and he would secure maximum votes from these localities.

All the three heavyweights are claiming to have an edge over the other, but they will have to wait for the next few days for voters to decide about their fate.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2024

Header image: This photo combo shows former JUI-F MPA Munawar Khan (L) and PTI district president Johar Mohammad Khan (R). — via Facebook