February 21, 2008	Thursday	Safar 13, 1429

HYDERABAD, Feb 20: While Feb 18 proved to be a doomsday for many political bigwigs in the rural areas of Sindh, many others could be able to retain their seats in Monday’s elections.

Among the political heavyweights, who faced voters’ wrath included former federal minister and PML-Q candidate Liaquat Ali Jatoi who lost both seats, NA-232, Dadu and PS-73, Jamshoro.

Illahi Bux Soomro, a senior politician and former National Assembly speaker, who contested as a PML-N candidate on NA-208, Jacobabad, is also among the losers.

Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah, the grandson of the late nationalist leader, G. M. Syed, suffered defeat on two seats, NA-231 and PS-71, Jamshoro. One of senior PPP leaders, Aftab Shaban Mirani, faced defeat on NA-202, Shikarpur.

Former Sindh assembly speaker, Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, of PML-F was also rejected by voters on PS-69, Umerkot. PPP turncoat Syed Qurban Ali Shah, who contested the election on PML-Q’s ticket, lost NA-227, Mirpurkhas.PPP (Shaheed Bhutto) chairperson Ms Ghinwa Bhutto, who was contesting from NA-204, Larkana, could not make a place for her in the National Assembly.

Those who have retained their seats included PPP Sindh chapter president Syed Qaim Ali Shah, who won PS-29, Khairpur. Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, the former leader of the opposition in the Sindh assembly and a PPP candidate emerged victorious on PS-36, Larkana.

PPP senior vice chairman Makhdoom Mohammad Amin Fahim retained his seat NA-218, Matiari. Former Sindh chief minister, Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim of PML-Q won PS-61 Tharparkar. Syed Khursheed Shah of PPP emerged victorious on NA-119, Sukkur.

Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani of PPP won NA-209, Kandhkot-Kashmore. Nawab Mohammad Yousuf Talpur of PPP emerged victorious on NA-228, Umerkot. Pir Mazharul Haq of PPP retained his PS-74 seat in Dadu district. Zulfiqar Mirza also of PPP won PS-57, Badin.

Former federal minister and a candidate of PML-Q on NA-203 Shikarpur, Ghous Bux Mahar, is also among the winners. Pir Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi of PML-F won NA-216, Khairpur and Syed Naveed Qamaruzzaman Shah of PPP could be able to retain his NA-222 seat of Tando Muhammad Khan district.