ATTOCK, Dec 23: Family politics is the name of the game when it comes to politics in Attock. Eight families would play a prominent role in the upcoming 2013 elections: Khatar, Qazi, Sheikh, Malik, Khan, Kunda, Kamrial and Khanzada.
All the above mentioned families are planning to bring their children or relatives forward in the next elections.
Former district nazim and former MPA Maj (retired) Tahir Sadiq Khan represents the Khatar clan. He plans to introduce his foreign-educated son Zain Khan in the political arena, who would either contest an election on a provincial or a national assembly seat.
Zain would be a third generation from his family to enter politics. His grandfather, Sardar Sadiq Khan, a landlord, was elected MPA from PP-15 Attock-1 in 1985 and 1990 elections and after his death, his wife Begum Sadiq was elected MPA. Tahir Sadiq, Zain’s father, was serving in the army at the time. However, after resigning from the army, Tahir Sadiq was elected MPA in 1997.
The other contenders are the Qazi family, headed by Qazi Khalid Mehmood, who is also grooming his foreign-educated son Qazi Ahmed Akbar for the next elections.
Qazi family after parting ways with the PML-Q has joined PTI.
The Sheikh family, headed by Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, is also in the running. Mr Aftab is bringing forward his son Sheikh Suleman Sarwar, who would be contesting PP-15 in the elections.
The fourth family is the Malik family, headed by former state minister and PTI leader Malik Amin Aslam.
Mr Amin’s father, Malik Mohammad Aslam, had been in politics since the time of Ayub Khan. Mr Amin plans to contest on a national assembly seat.
The PPP side is dominated by the Khan family, headed by former senator Malik Hakmeen Khan, who has brought forward his son Malik Shahan Khan, who is also a foreign graduate and presently a member of the provincial assembly.
PML-N is represented by the Kunda family. PML-N MPA Malik Itabar Khan is son of Malik Allahyar Khan of Kunda village.
Mr Allahyar was a senior legislator in the parliament set up after 2002 elections. He was elected MNA from NA- 58.
The Kamrial family is headed by former district naib nazim Attock, Malik Suhail Khan, son of former MNA Malik Lal Khan.
Mr Suhail had contested 2008 elections on PML-N ticket but lost and has now joined PTI.
Last but not the least is the Khanzada family, formerly headed by MPA Taj Mohammad Khanzada (now late), who brought his nephew Col (retired) Shujah Khanzada in politics. Shujah is an MPA representing PML-N.
