December 06, 2007	Thursday	Ziqa'ad 25, 1428

KHAR, Dec 5: Candidates for two National Assembly seats of Bajaur Agency have launched a campaign for the upcoming general elections through tribal elders and jirgas to bring the people to polling stations in the face of a volatile law and order situation.

Rival candidates having affiliation with different political parties have started organising jirgas and corner meetings to convince voters, making commitments to carry out development works in the area.

One of the foremost issues of the local people is growing militancy in the area, but candidates do not discuss this vital issue openly during meetings apparently fearing a backlash from militants. Mainstream political parties have fielded their candidates for two National Assembly seats in the agency, though the federal government did not extend the Political Parties Order, 2002 to (Fata), placing a ban on all types of political activities in the region.

A total of 35 candidates are in the run for two National Assembly seats in the agency.

Bajaur Agency has a total of 255,139 registered voters, including 93,355 female voters. However, female voters were barred from polling in the last general elections.

Pakistan Muslim League (Q) has fielded former MNA Shahabuddin Khan from NA-43 and NA-44. He was supported by the ANP in the by-elections. But he was expelled from the party while taking part in the controversial presidential elections.

ANP has allotted a ticket to Sheikh Janzada from NA-43, while Pakistan People’s Party has fielded Saeedur Rehman.

A wanted militant commander in the agency, Faqir Mohammad’s cousin Bashir Ahmad is also in the run and has filed papers from NA-43.

Jamaat-i-Islami has allotted a ticket to Sahibzada Haroon Rashid whereas the Jamiat-i- Ulema-i-Islam (F) has awarded a ticket to Maulvi Mohammad Ishaq, nephew of former MNA Maulana Mohammad Sadiq.

From NA-44, the main contestants are Haji Rahat Yousuf of PML (N), Sardar Khan of JI, Akhunzada Chattan of PPP and Gul Dad Khan of ANP. However, the JUI (F) did not field any candidate.