TOBA TEK SINGH: Opposite religious schools of thought are on the same page, probably for the first time, for Thursday’s (today) vote in Jhang’s NA-108 and NA-110.

Local chapters of Deoband and Shia are supporting Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat (a Shia) in NA-108 and Maulana Asif Muawiya (a Deobandi and former activist of the banned Sipah-i-Sahaba) for NA-110, Shorkot. Both are PML-N ticket-holders.

Not only Faisal and Muawiya have addressed public meetings jointly, their leaders also canvassed openly.

In 2018, Muawiya stood second as an independent candidate for NA-110 as PTI’s Sahibzada Amir Sultan (son of former late federal minister Sahibzada Nazir Sultan, nephew of former federal minister Sahibzada Mahboob Sultan and son-in-law of PPP leader and former PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf) had defeated him with a margin of 20,000 votes.

This time Muawiya is a PML-N candidate.

There are differences in the ranks of Rah-i-Haq Party (formerly outlawed SSP) for the last several years. Muawiya contested consecutively in 2008, 2013 and 2018. Rah-i-Haq chief Moulana Muhammad Ahmad Ludhianvi is again contesting the same constituency of NA-109 as an independent candidate but this time due to differences he is opposed by Maulana Masroor Nawaz Jhangvi (son of the late Maulana Haq Nawaz Jhangvi, the founder of Lashar-i-Jhangvi) who is also an independent candidate for PP-127, a seat lies under NA-109.

MURDERED: A man was murdered and another injured critically after their rivals opened fire on them on Jaranwala Road in Faisalabad on Wednesday.

Rescue 1122 officials identified the deceased as Ramzan (22) while his wounded cousin Asim (38) was shifted to the DHQ hospital.

Reports said both groups were relatives and had old enmity over property dispute.

DIES: A PML-N activist died on Wednesday in Faisalabad after falling from the top of a three-storeyed building while hanging banners in the constituency of PML-N candidate for PP-116 Rana Ahmad Shahryar (son-in-law of former federal interior minister Rana Sanaullah).

The deceased was identified as Muhammad Ali Nikka of Muzaffar Colony.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2024