JHANG: Independents have emerged as the largest group in both Jhang district council and municipal committee as well as in Shorkot and 18 Hazari municipal committees in the third phase of the local body polls.

Election results show that the PTI and all other political parties have almost been wiped out from the district.

In the district council, the PML-N had fielded 42 candidates in a house of 91 and only 17 of them have returned successful while the rest of 74 successful candidates are all independents.

In the municipal committee, the PML-N has won 19 seats out of total 50 seats, although the party had fielded 38 candidates.

The PTI had fielded 24 candidates in the Jhang municipal committee elections, but all of them have been defeated, independents have clinched 17 seats while 14 candidates, backed by the banned SSP under the Rah-i-Haq group, have won their seats.

Ironically, PPP’s city president Iqbal Anjum, who contested as an independent, has also won his seat with the support of the banned SSP.

In Shorkot municipal committee, out of total 23 seats, the PML-N has won eight seats while independents have bagged 15 seats.

In 18 Hazari municipal committee, all the 11 seats have been clinched by independents.

In Garh Maharaja municipal committee, the total number of seats was 13 and the PML-N has won nine and the rest by independent candidates.

In Ahmedpur Sial municipal committee, out of total 12 seats, the PML-N has won nine seats while the rest by independent candidates.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2015