PAKPATTAN, Sept 25: Almost all political heavyweights in the land of Ganjshakar have been disqualified from the upcoming general election due to the graduation condition.

The three-time winner of NA-127 in the last four general elections, Raja Shahid Saeed, is the noted undergraduate politician in Pakpattan. Among others are former federal minister Mian Ghulam Mohammad Ahmed Maneka, former provincial minister Tikka Iqbal Mohammad Khan and MPAs Diwan Azmat Saeed Chishti, Pir Allah Yar Chishti and Ghulam Farid Chishti. District Nazim Amjad Joya is also said to be an undergraduate. Among the old guard, only Rao Mohammad Hashim Khan of PPP has survived the graduation condition.

However, Rao Hashim is facing challenges on the family front as his son Rao Naseem Hashim has revolted against him and his party and is vying for NA-165 (Pakpattan-II) against five other contestants including Nasim Mehmood Hotiana of the PPP. Similarly, Rao Nasim is also an independent candidate for PP-227 against, among others, Mian Farid Maneka of the PPP.

The older Rao, however, is not willing to go against PPP candidates for his ‘disobedient’ son, who will definitely play the role of a spoiler for the party in constituencies that are thought to be strongholds of PPP.

There are three national (NA-164 to 166) and five provincial assembly (PP-227 to 231) seats in the district this time as against two national and three-and-a-half provincial assembly seats in previous elections when PP-188 was shared by Pakpattan and Sahiwal.

Rajas, Manekas, Chishtis, Khagas, Joyas and Raos usually rule the roost here. Changing party platforms in the quest for power is not thought to be a bad thing among most of the local politicians. However, Rao Amin Hashim and Mian Manzoor Maneka have been loyal to the PPP through thick and thin.

There are four contestants on NA-164 (Pakpattan-I): Pir Mohammad Shah Khaga of the PML-Q, Rao Mohammad Hashim of the PPP and independent candidates Ahmed Din and Nadeem Iqbal. The main contest will take place between the Khagas and the Raos. Mr Khaga is appearing for an NA seat for the first time ever whereas Rao Hashim has won only once (1993) in his last four bids for what was formerly designated as NA-128. However, Mr Khaga has returned thrice as MPA from the old PP-191. He lost the constituency to Sardar Mansab Ali Dogar in the last general election in 1997.

Rao Hashim has managed to strike a deal with Mansab Dogar for the upcoming elections. Consequently, the PML-N has not fielded a candidate against Rao Hashim on the NA seat while the PPP has in return vacated PP-229 (Pakpattan-III) for the Dogars of PML-N. Besides Mansab Dogar, there are six other contestants for PP-229 including former provincial minister Chaudhry Mumtaz Hussain.

The locals attribute the success of Chaudhry Mumtaz to his brother, late Chaudhry Akhtar. They say that Chaudhry Mumtaz can hardly give a tough time to Mr Dogar in the absence of his brother.

The other provincial wing of NA-164 is PP-227 which comes under NA-165 as well. On PP-227 (Pakpattan-I), Mian Ahmed Farid Maneka (PPP), Mian Irfan Adil Bhandara (PML-N), Mian Atta Mohammad Khan Maneka (PML-Q) and independent candidate Rao Naseem Hashim are in the field. The main contest is between the candidates of PPP and PML-Q.

Pakpattan Tehsil Nazim Farrukh Mumtaz Maneka is allegedly campaigning for his uncle Atta Maneka for this seat. Farid Maneka’s father, late Gohar Farid, was elected to the Punjab Assembly from this area in 1990 as an independent candidate. A neck-and-neck contest is likely between the Manekas. Mr Farid’s success will depend upon a poor performance of the rebellious Rao Naseem. However, the older Rao is said to be in a strong position on the NA seat against the Khagas.

There are six candidates for NA-165 (Pakpattan-II): Ahmed Raza Maneka (PML-Q), Chaudhry Bashir (MMA), Mehmood Ahmed Khan (PML-N), Nasim Mehmood Hotiana (PPP) and independent candidates Abdul Zahir Khan and Nasim Hashim Khan. Mr Raza is the son of former MNA Mian Ghulam Mohammad Ahmed Maneka while Mehmood Ahmed has been twice elected as the MNA on PML-N ticket (1990 and 1997). Mr Hotiana is a new entrant. The provincial assembly seat which completely falls under NA-165 is PP-228.

Some nine candidates are vying for PP-228 (Pakpattan-II). Besides five independent candidates, there are Mian Manzoor Ahmed Maneka (PPP), Chaudhry Javed Ahmed (PML-Q), Mohammad Hasan Chishti (PML-N) and Chaudhry Bashir Ahmed (MMA). Manzoor Maneka is being rated as the strongest candidate. His strong position will also prove to be a good omen for Nasim Hotiana on the NA seat.

NA-166 (Pakpattan-III) comprises Arifwala Tehsil excluding Qaboola, which has gone to NA-165. Besides an independent candidate, four other candidates in the race for NA-166 are Tikka Hammad Mohammad Khan (PPP), Dr Junaid Mumtaz Joya (PML-Q), Rana Shahid Husain Khan (PML-N) and Asif Mohammad Khan (Tehrik-i-Insaf). Mr Hammad is the nephew of Tikka Iqbal while Dr Junaid is the nephew of district Nazim Amjad Joya.

The PML-Q candidate is enjoying the support of his district Nazim uncle. He is also backed by Arifwala Tehsil Nazim Amir Hamza Rath and the Chishtis of Ganj Shakar. Arifwala has been a stronghold of Raja Shahid Saeed, who is one of the victims of the graduation condition. He reportedly tried to get the PML-Q ticket for his son Raja Talek Saeed, which was denied. Later, he also tried to get the PML-N ticket but to no avail. Now, he is halfheartedly supporting the PML-N candidate. Rajas and Joyas have old political rivalry. Before the local bodies polls, Joyas were in the PPP and Rajas in the PML-N. However, the Joyas now enjoy acceptance in the corridors of power where Rajas could not make a place despite all their efforts.

There are only three candidates on each of the two provincial assembly seats under NA-166. For PP-230 (Pakpattan-IV), the contestants are Chaudhry Usman Shafiq (PPP), Dr Farrukh Javed (PML-Q) and Dr Mohammad Akram (MMA). For PP-231 (Pakpattan-V), the contestants are Pir Kashif Chishti (PML-Q), Shams Raza Qasuri (PPP) and Mian Qamruz Zaman (PML-N). The position of PML-Q candidates on these two PA seats is said to be strong for thanks to the support of district and Tehsil Nazimeen.