BAHAWALPUR: The PML-Q is trying to make a comeback in Yazman by fielding 15 candidates for 16 municipal committee wards, equal to the number of PML-N candidates while the PTI has fielded six candidates.

However, the maximum number of candidates, 38, opted to contest local government election as independent while the PPP has fielded just one candidate.

The PML-Q’s prominent presence is visible through its candidates’ banners and flexes hanging across the city.

Yazman is the home constituency of PML-N Senator Saud Majeed Chaudhry and PML-Q’s MNA Tariq Cheema who are arch rivals and have presently locked horns in this area.

In 2013 election, Tariq Cheema was elected MNA after defeating Saud Majeed who was later made senator by the PML-N.

Most number of candidates are independent

The biradari (clan) factor in the area is always considered the most important in election besides party affiliation. Saud Majeed belongs to Arian clan and enjoys the support of Jatt MPA Khalid Jajja while Tariq Cheema, a Jatt leader, has the support of his PML-Q MPA Dr Afzal who was elected thrice from this constituency on PML-Q ticket.

It seems both Jatt and Arian votes might split up between Saud and Cheema who are canvassing in the tehsil round the clock for the election on Dec 5.

In Khairpur Tamewali Municipal Committee, the PTI had fielded candidates in eight wards while the PML has 17 candidates and independents are 24. The PPP has not fielded any candidate here.

The committee and the rural area are under the influence of Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada and his nephew MPA Kazim Ali Pirzada whose candidates are reportedly in comfortable position for belonging to the party in power. The PML-N may capture the slot of chairman Khairpur Tamewali Municipal Committee with the support of winning independents who may not be able to refuse Riaz Pirzada.

It may be mentioned here Riaz Hussain Pirzada’s younger brother Sajjad Hussain Pirzada was the chairman of the district council and if he wins, he may be one of the aspirants for the chairmanship of district council. Out of eight wards, the PTI candidates might bag about 50pc votes.

MINISTER: State Minister for Education and Professional Training Baleeghur Rehman says the Prime Minister’s Kissan Package of Rs241 billion wis not politically motivated and it is aimed at helping the farmers.

He was addressing a seminar organised by the Punjab Information Department in coordination with the APNS and Islamia University, Bahawalpur (IUB).

The minister apprised the audience of the progress in the education sector made by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), saying the public sector universities were being properly financed by the commission.

The seminar was also addressed by Punjab Minister for Cooperatives Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar, IUB VC Prof Dr Qaisar Mushtaq and Humayun Gulzar.

TWO KILLED: A woman and his six-month-old child were killed in a road accident near Lal Sohanra, about 35km from here.

Police said the mother and child were going in a car driven by her husband, Aaqib. The car rammed into the trailer when police patrol stopped it on the road. Police registered the case against the trailer’s driver and arrested him.

Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2015