CHAKWAL: As Chakwal is all set for the by-election on the Punjab Assembly seat (PP 23) on Tuesday, the two main candidates have levelled serious allegations against each other.

Malik Shehryar Awan of the PML-N submitted an application to the returning officer, the deputy commissioner and the district police officer alleging that his opponents Hafiz Ammar Yasir of the PML-Q and retired Colonel Sultan Surkhru of the PTI had distributed an incendiary pamphlet against him and his grandfather Malik Saleem Iqbal.

The copy of the pamphlet (available with Dawn) did not carry the name of its author or publisher but contained serious allegations not only against Mr Shehryar and Mr Iqbal but also against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

It alleged that local leaders of the PML-N had supported the Ahmadi community in the Dulmial incident while Mr Iqbal had allegedly supported a blasphemy accused. The accused was sentenced to death by a local court in 2012 but was set free by the Lahore High Court in February last year after the allegations against him could not be proved. But in the pamphlet, an effort was made to give an impression that the accused was set free because of the PML-N government.

Ruling party and PTI candidates file complaints with RO accusing each other of violating election code of conduct

The pamphlet also lashed out at the prime minister’s recent speeches in which he assured the minorities of their due rights.

Addressing the people of Talagang, the pamphlet urged the voters to vote against the PML-N.

On the other hand, PTI candidate Sultan Surkhru also filed an application with the returning officer alleging that by violating the code of conduct of the election the PML-N was using state machinery to woo the voters.

“About 3,300 electric polls and 112 transformers are being installed in the constituency to win the sympathies of the voters,” Mr Surkhru told Dawn. He said eight streets were being constructed in Lawa town alone. “Hamza Shahbaz visited Talagang. Being an MNA and the son of the sitting chief minister how could he take part in the election campaign,” Mr Surkhru asked. He said being the special assistant to chief minister, Mr Iqbal was also assuring the voters that all their demands would be fulfilled.

“Our rivals are trying to exploit the feelings of the citizens in the name of religion,” Mr Iqbal, who is the special assistant to chief minister, told Dawn.

“Hafiz Ammar Yasir supports extremist elements and he is all out to exploit the feelings of the people by levelling incendiary allegations against us,” he added.

In reply to a question, Mr Iqbal said he did not use public resources in the election campaign. “I have not used my official vehicle nor made any public speech in any political gathering. But I admit that I am asking people to vote for the PML-N as my grandson is taking part in the election,” he maintained.

Refuting the allegations levelled by Mr Iqbal and Mr Shehryar, Hafiz Ammar Yasir said he and Sultan Surkhru had nothing to do with the pamphlets. “Yes I do have my point of view on certain issues but I never use foul means against my opponents.”

Returning Officer Shakeel Ahmed told Dawn that he had received an application from Malik Shehryar.

Though eight candidates are participating in the elections, the actual battle is going to be fought between the PML-N and the PTI which is also being supported by the PML-Q, Jamaat-i-Islami and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek.

PML-Q holds a considerable sway in the area as during the tenure of former chief minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, a number of development projects were launched in the area.

The PML-Q local leader Hafiz Ammar Yasir has managed to retain the party’s influence in the area. The party won the municipalities of Talagang and Lawa in the last local government elections besides winning five union councils.

The constituency remained a stronghold of the PML-N as its leader Malik Saleem Iqbal won for five consecutive times.

The party lost the constituency in 2002 when Mr Surkhru defeated his rivals as an independent candidate. The seat fell vacant in February due the death of Malik Zahoor Anwar Awan of the PML-N. His nephew Malik Shehryar Awan is a candidate now.

Around 57 polling stations have been declared sensitive. There are 258,079 registered voters in the constituency.

Rangers and army have been called in to maintain peace during the election. A public holiday has been declared in the constituency.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2017