ATTOCK, Sept 30: Member of National Assembly (MNA) Sheikh Aftab Ahmed from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has started introducing his son in high-level official meetings, it has been learnt.
The son is the potential PML-N candidate for Provincial Assembly seat of PP-15 Attock-1. The son, Sheikh Suleman Sarwar has started to attend official meetings in the company of his father in order to learn the ropes in how to deal and handle bureaucracy in an effective manner, it was revealed.
It was observed during a district monitoring meeting, which was held at the office of district coordination officer (DCO) last Saturday September 22, under the chairmanship of MNA Mr Aftab, to review the development schemes and law and order situation of the district.
Among other government officials, the Commissioner Rawalpindi division Imdadullah Bosal, Regional Police Officer Rawalpindi Region Capt (retired) Muhammad Zubair and acting DCO Abid Khan Wazir also attended the meeting.
Surprisingly, Mr Sarwar participated in the meeting along with his father, MNA Mr Aftab Ahmed in order to get some exposure of official meetings and functioning of government functionaries, as recently his father (Mr Aftab) had decided that his son will contest PP-15 Attock-1’s seat in the forthcoming general elections.
It’s also worth mentioning that Mr Sarwar had contested PP-15 seat in 2008’s general elections but was defeated by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) candidate, Malik Shahan Khan and remained third in the results.
Whereas his father Mr Aftab Ahmed won NA-57’s seat but with a very low margin of only 300 votes against the independent candidate, Malik Amin Aslam.
However at that time, both father and son had contested the elections under very challenging conditions, due to PML-N’s suppression against the ruling PML-Q, which was enjoying a strong hold in the district due to backing of Gen (retired) Musharraf.
But now the situation has entirely changed as now PML-N’s MNA Mr Aftab himself belongs to a ruling party, which will be in a more dominating position, it was revealed.
It should be noted that some other political figures tried their best to get PML-N ticket for PP-15 by convincing the party that Mr Sarwar’s position is not strong as he had already lost, political analysts informed. But because of being a sitting MNA, Mr Aftab has the edge. Also a personal affiliation. When Mian brothers — Nawaz Sharif and Mian Shahbaz Sharif were in Attock Fort jail during Gen (retired) Musharraf’s tenure — Kulsoom Nawaz along with other family members used to live in Mr Aftab’s house in Attock, till their exile to Saudi Arabia.
Sheikh family opines that he (Nawaz Shairf) cannot ignore the sacrifices of their family in hard times, after his government was toppled by the military in 1999.
Even Sheikh Shahid, younger brother of MNA Mr Aftab was interested in MPA ticket of PP-15 from PML-N but Mr Aftab prefered his son, Mr Sarwar for the slot.
Naturally being a father, Mr Aftab is doing a lot to promote his son Sarwar, in the political field in Attock and in a way passing on family's political assets to his next generation as now after getting a party ticket PP-15.
But it will not be a walk in the park for the young Sarwar, his opponents are also active and are constantly planning. Brining him early into the limelight, before the elections, could backfire.
