February 15, 2008	Friday	Safar 07, 1429

JACOBABAD, Feb 14: Traditionally, Jacobabad has been a stronghold of the People’s Party. This time, however, a tough contest is expected between it and the PML-Q. There are two national and four provincial assembly seats in the district.

A neck and neck contest is expected between former MNA Aijaz Khan Jakhrani and PML-Q candidate Fahad Malik for NA-208. Fahad Malik is the nephew of caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro.

Both the candidates have accused each other of violating the code of conduct formulated by the Election Commission. The PPP candidate has alleged that the district nazim, Begum Saeeda Soomro, and caretaker prime minister are using state machinery in favour of Fahad Malik.

PPP apprehends that the prime minister may use his clout and incumbency to rig the polls. However, the district nazim, who is a close relative of the premier, has denied the charges.

Jacobabad city has a population of over 400,000 people who are faced with problems such as shortage of potable water, an aging drainage system, poor law and order situation, kidnapping for ransom and non-functional governmental offices.

After bifurcation of the district, it was hoped that the law and order situation would improve but it further deteriorated, compounding the people’s misery.

For NA-209, the main contestants are PPP candidate Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani and PML-F candidate Naseer Khan Khoso.

Though the Khosos live in large numbers there, it remains to be seen if they will indeed vote for Naseer Khan Khoso.

As far as the provincial seats are concerned, in Garhi Khairo, PPP stalwart Ghulam Mohammad Shahlani is contesting against the PML-Q candidate and former minister Mir Manzoor Khan Panhwar. Political pundits predict that Ghulam Mohammad may give a tough time to Manzoor Panhwar.

In Jacobabad city, Raja Abdul Rahim Khoso of PPP may win against MMA candidate Raja Jakhrani.

In Thull taluka, former provincial minister Dr Sohrab Sarki and PPP candidate Mir Hassan Khan Khoso are the main contestants and many of the polling stations here have been declared sensitive.

It may be mentioned that Sohrab Sarki has switched his loyalties over to the PML-Q. However, the political scenario in Jacobabad seems to be unusually charged and it seems difficult for the PML-Q to win.