OKARA, Aug 26: The Shah Muqeem group is leading in the Okara district, say unofficial results. The district consists of 114 union councils with three tehsils — Okara (41 UCs), Deepalpur (55 UCs) and Renala Khurd (18 UCs).

Defence Minister Rao Sikander Iqbal group backed by PML-N MPA Mian Yawar Zaman, Chaudhry Ikramul Haq and Chaudhry Arif has taken a lead in Okara tehsil with 14 union council panels.

Federal parliamentary secretary and PML MNA Rai Muhammad Aslam Kharal group won 12 union council seats. While the ARD bagged five UC panels, independent five, MMA and Anjuman-i-Mozareen one each. AMP secretary-general Mehr Abdul Sattar was elected as nazim and Chaudhry Zulfiqar as naib nazim.

In Deepalpur tehsil, the contest between the Shah Muqeem group and the Tamir-i-Watan group has been evenly balanced.

The Shah Muqeem group, led by former provincial minister Syed Afzaal Ali Shah Gilani, MNA Rao Muhammad Ajmal Khan, Syed Gulzar Sibtain, MPA Deewan Ikhlaq Ahmad, Malik Nazar Farid Khokhar, Chaudhry Iftikhar Chachar, Chaudhry Javed Allauddin, Mian Asghar Jeewaka, former zila council chairman and PML district president Mian Muhammad Moeen Khan Wattoo and provincial housing minister Syed Raza Ali Gilani, clinched 27 UC panels.

While the Tamir-i-Watan group, led by former Punjab chief minister Mian Manzoor Ahmad Khan Wattoo, also bagged 27 UC panels. The remaining one panel was won by independent candidates.

In Renala Khurd tehsil, the Shah Muqeem group succeeded on 15 union councils, the Tamir-i-Watan group on two UCs and the independent on one UC.

MNA Rai Muhammad Aslam Kharal of Okara tehsil, having the support of the Shah Muqeem group, is the strong supporter of Mian Moeen Khan Wattoo for the district nazim slot while the PML highups may nominate ex-nazim Syed Afzaal Ali Shah for this coveted slot.

Whereas Defence Minister Rao Sikander Iqbal wanted to see his brother Maj Zafar Iqbal Rao (retired) for the district nazim slot.

He may succeed if he manages the support of Rai Muhammad Aslam Kharal.