Tribal factor has a key role to play: BALOCHISTAN PROFILE

ELECTIONEERING in Balochistan was conducted without any traditional fanfare, as it happened in other provinces also. As usual, the powerful tribes, clans and personalities, with the exception of some luminaries, are contesting for the seats of power.

Unlike the other provinces, Balochistan has always been controlled by a few tribes and their dignitaries to such an extent that it is almost impossible for anyone to get elected — even to a local council seat — without their blessings.

However, because of the condition this time that a candidate must be a graduate in order to qualify for the contest, a number of tribal bigwigs are not directly in the field but still the tribal factor is very strong.

Prominent persons who are not contesting include Nawab Akbar Bugti, Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Nawab Zulfikar Ali Magsi, Maulana Abdul Ghani, Mir Abdul Karim Nusherwani, Sardar Abdur Rehman Khetran, Malik Sarwar Kakar, Akbar Lasi, Prince Moosa Jan, Prince Mohyuddin Baloch, Syed Ahmed Hashmi, Mir Abdul Majeed Bizenjo and Husain Ashraf.

The main parties which are taking part in the election are: the PPP (People’s Party Parliamentarians), the PML (N), PML(Q), MMA, Millat Party, PTI, PAT, QJP, BNM, BNP (M), BNM (A), BNDP, BNC, JWP and the ANP.

There are 126 candidates for the 14 general National Assembly seats and 519 candidates for 51 Balochistan Assembly seats.

There are two NA seats in Quetta—-NA-259 and NA-260. For NA-259 there are 18 candidates in the run. This is a very prestigious seat as four important personalities of the province are fighting on this seat.

Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai is fighting as a joint candidate of the PMAP and Balochistan National Party (BNP-M). Equally important candidates are: Pakistan Muslim League (Q)’s Fazal Agha, PPP’s Saifullah Peracha and Muttahida Majlis Amal’s Maulana Noor Mohammad. Besides, there are 14 other candidates, including former attorney- general Yahya Bakhtiar, Khuda-i-Noor of the Jamhoori Watan Party, Mir Taj Mohammad Jamali of the National Alliance and Abdul Majeed Ghori of the Quami Jamhoori Party. But the main contest is expected among these four personalities.

The province has a mixed population, of which the main communities are the Baloch, Pakhtoons, Hazaras and Punjabis and Urdu-speaking settlers who play a decisive role in the electoral politics of this constituency.

This constituency has six Provincial Assembly seats: PB-1, Quetta-1; PB-2, Quetta-2; PB-3, Quetta-3; PB-4, Quetta-4; PB-5, Quetta-5; and PB-6, Quetta-6.

The constituency of NA-260, Quetta-cum-Chaghai-cum-Mustang, comprises important tribes of Notazais, Mohammad Hasanis, Sanjranis, Mengals, Jamaldinis, Badinis and the Barrach.

There are 11 candidates in the run for this seat. The MMA has fielded the JUI’s Hafiz Husain Ahmed, and the PPP has awarded the ticket to Sardar Fateh Mohammad Hasni. Habib Jalib Baloch of the BNP (M), Sardar Faisal Husain Shah of the PML (N) are also contesting on this seat.

Other candidates are: Haji Baloch Khan of the PML (Q), Ghulam Farooq Baloch, Husain Ali, Abdul Wahid Shakir, Nauro Khan Mengal, Sardar Mohammad Najib Sanjarani and Liaquat Ali.

This constituency has also two Provincial Assembly seats. PB-39 Chaghai-1, PB-40 Chaghai-2.

The constituency of NA-261 comprises Pishin and Ziarat areas whose major tribes are Kakar, Tareen, Syeds, Achakzais and Panezais. There are 12 candidates vying for this seat. They are: Haji Gul Mohammad Dumar (MMA), Haji Nizamuddin Kakar, Advocate Abdul Waseh Kakar, Ali Ahmed Kakar of the PPP, Advocate Azizullah (NA), advocate Mohammad Noor Khan Tareen, Abdul Wajid, Dr Zaffarullah Khan Kakar, Dr Kaleemullah Khan (PMAP), Abdul Hadi, Khalid Khan Kakar of the PML (Q) and Hafeezullah Khan.

The main contest is likely to be held between the MMA, the PMAP, the PML (Q) and the National Alliance.

This constituency has four Provincial Assembly seats. They are PB-7, Ziarat; PB-8, Pishin-1; PB-9, Pishin-2; and PB-10 Pishin-3.

The NA-262 constituency comprises Killa Abdullah. There are nine candidates in the run. Prominent among them are Mahmood Khan Achakzai, chief of the PMAP; Bismillah Kakar of the PPP, Maulana Mohammad Hanif of the the MMA.

The PML (N) has fielded Mohammad Ismail and the PML (Q) has nominated Lal Jan. A tough fight is expected between the PMAP, the MMA and the PPP candidates.

The constituency also consists of three Provincial Assembly seats: PB-11, Killa Abdullah-1; PB-12, Killa Abdullah-2; and PB-13, Killa Abdullah-3.

The NA-263 constituency comprises the Loralai district: There are 14 contestants on this seat. Prominent among them are: Sardar Mohammad Yaqub Khan Nasir of the PML (N), Maulvi Amir Zaman (MMA), Tariq Mohammad Khetran of the PML (Q), Baz Mohammad Khetran (PPP).

Other candidates are: Sardar Sikandar Hayat Jogezai, Sardar Mohammad Ishaq Tareen, Mohammad Shafi, Khetran, Sher Mohammad Afgan Luni, Azam Jan Zarkoon, and Shah Jehan Khetran. This constituency has four Provincial Assembly seats. They are PB-14, Loralai 1; PB-15, Loralai-2: PB-16, Loralai-3; and PB-17, Loralai-4.

The NA-264 constituency comprises Zhob and Killa Saifullah. After the withdrawal of Sheikha Jaffar Khan following a seat adjustment with the PMAP, 13 candidates are in the run.

They include Nawab Mohammad Ayaz Jogezai (PMAP), Shamsullah Kakar, Maulvi Mohammad Khan Sheerani (MMA), Akhtar Mohammad Mandukhel, Malik Shamsuddin Kakar , Azizullah of the PML (Q), Malik Mauladad Dad Khan Sherani of PML (N), and Mohammad Ismail Khan Bazai (NA).

The main contest is be held between candidates of the PMAP and the MMA.

It has three Provincial Assembly seats which include PB-18, Zhob-1; PB-19, Zhob-2; and PB-20, Killa Saifullah.

The NA- 265 constituency comprises Sibi, Kohlu, and Dera Bugti. There are 12 contestants for this seat. Important contestants are Ahmed Jan of the PMAP, Mir Taj Mohammad Jamali of NA/GNA, Mir Haider Bugti of the JWP, Mir Bakhtawar of the PML (Q), Mehrab Khan Baloch and Mir Tariq Husain Bugti.

It has four Provincial Assembly seats: PB-21, Sibi-1; PB-22, Sibi-2; PB-23, Kohlu Agency; and PB-24, Dera Bugti,

NA-266 Naseerabad: There are nine candidates vying for this seat. Prominent among them are Zafarulah Khan Jamali (PML-Q), Mir Munawar Ali Khosa (PPP), Mohammad Husain Gola (PML-N), Abdul Ghafoor Mengal (BNP-M).

It has five Provincial Assembly seats: PB-25 Usta Mohammad, PB-26 Naseerabad-2, PB-27 Naseerabad-3, PB-28 Naseerabad-4, PB-29 Naseerabad-5.

NA-267 Kachhi: There are seven contestants for this seat. Prominent figures are Dr Abdul Hayee Baloch, chief of Balochistan National Movement (BNM), Nawab Mohammad Raisani (PPP), Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind (NA/GDA), Maulana Syed Abdul Malik Shah (MMA).

It has 3 Provincial Assembly seats: PB-30 Kachhi-1, PB-31 Kachhi-2 and PB-32 Kachhi-3.

NA-268: Kalat-cum-Mustung: In this constituency five candidates are in the run. They include the BNDP’s chief Sardar Sanaullah Zehri, MMA’s Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, SDA/GDA’s Mir Kamal Khan Bangalzai, Balochistan National Congress’s Dr Hakeem Lehri, Balochistan National Party (M)’s Mir Mengal Shawani.

It has three PA seats: PB-36 Kalat-1, PB-37, Kalat- 2 and PB-38 Mustung.

NA-269 Khuzdar: Seven candidates are in the run. They include Mir Zafarullah Zehri (independent), Advocate Mir Bashir Ahmed, Mir Mohammad Ayub Jatak (BNM), Abdul Rauf Mengal (BNP-M), Mir Mehrullah Umrani (PML-N).

It has three PA seats: PB-33 Khuzdar 1, PB-34 Khuzdar 2, PB-35 Khuzdar 3.

NA-270: Awaran-cum-Lasbella: Nine candidates are in the run. The main contenders are Abdul Karim Lasi (PPP), Pir Abdul Qadir Gilani (PML- Q), Mohammad Usman (BNP-M), Abdul Wahab Bizenjo (BNM), Mir Nasir Ali Qambrani (JWP), Maulvi Mohammad Suleiman (MMA), Mir Bizen Bizenjo (BNDP), Ashraf Khan Tanoli.

It has three PA seats: PB-41 Awaran, PB-44 Lasbella 1 and PB-45 Lasbella 2.

NA-271 Kharan-cum-Panjgur: There are seven candidates in the race: The main contestants are Amanullah Khan Gichki (NA-GNA), Sardar Fateh Mohammad Hasani (PPP), Maulvi Rehmatullah (MMA), Advocate Abdullah Baloch (PML-Q) and Mir Abdul Khalique (BNM).

It has four PA seats: PB-42 Panjgur-1, PB-43 Panjgur 2, PB-46 Kharan-1 and PB-47 Kharan-2.

NA 272: Kech-cum-Gwadar: There are five candidates in the run. The main contestants are Zubeida Jalal (Independent), Dr Abdul Malik (BNM), Maulana Abdul Haq (MMA), Jamil Ahmed Dashti (BNP-M) and Fida Husain (BNDP).

It has four PA seats which include PB-48 Kech-1, PB-49 Kech- 2, PB-50 Kech-3 and PB-51 Gwadar.