SUKKUR: Former MNA Mir Babal Khan Jakhrani on Monday announced that he would contest for the NA-198 Jacobabad seat against his son, MNA Aijaz Jakhrani, in the 2018 general election.

Speaking at a news conference at the local press club, he accused Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of indulging in massive corruption in Jacobabad and regretted that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) never tried to look into the matter over the past decade.

He claimed that no improvement had been brought about in the continuously deteriorating civic conditions in this district as the PPP lawmakers from the area paid no attention to basic amenities and development.

In reply to a question, Babal Jakhrani said that it was true that a patch-up between him and his son had brought an end to certain disputes between them but political differences would remain there. He said he would contest the election from a suitable anti-PPP party or alliance.

When his attention was drawn to his son’s ailment, Babal said he wished and prayed for his quick and full recovery but had no intention to compromise on political views. He said he disliked PPP’s conduct and governance and, therefore, could not support it.

Babal Jakhrani also accused his nephew, provincial minister Mir Mumtaz Jakhrani, of having occupied the state land in the bypass area and usurped the funds meant for development in Jacobabad.

He demanded an inquiry into the corruption and legal action against the PPP lawmakers as well as others found involved in the scam.

In his rebuttal, MNA Aijaz Jakhrani rejected all allegations levelled against him and Mumtaz Jakhrani as baseless. However, he said he had great respect for his father, adding that like every other citizen, his father had the democratic right to contest an election from an area of his choice.

He said opponents had always been accusing PPP and its leaders of corruption but they could not prove any such allegations. He said he and Mumtaz would welcome any inquiry instituted against them on his father’s complaint.

Speaking to local reporters, Aijaz Jakhrani said his further did not have much political support in Jacobabad.

He recalled that his father had contested for the PS-13 Garhi Khero seat in the 2013 election against Mumtaz Jakhrani but lost. He also rejected the claim that uplift funds meant for Jacobabad had been usurped, saying that the people of this district were witness to the record development works carried out here by the PPP.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2018