TOBA TEK SINGH: Pirmahal’s politics took a new turn on Thursday when the late PML-N leader Makhdoom Syed Ali Raza’s second widow, Begum Saima Ali Raza alias Mahnoor Butt, announced withdrawing her candidature in favour of her stepdaughter, Begum Makhdoomzadi Sonia Ali Raza, a PTI ticketholder for PP-123.

Saima and Sonia were involved in litigation over property of the late Makhdoom Ali Raza, the biggest landlord of the district. After the death of his two younger brothers, all the farmland and property of both had also been transferred to the late Raza, a former MNA and MPA.

When Ali Raza died in 2015, a by-election was held and Saima and Sonia were aspirants for the PML-N ticket but both were ignored by the party and another landlord Pir Qutab Ali Baba, a nephew of former Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani, was awarded the PML-N ticket and he had won the seat.

Saima and Sonia had filed nomination papers against Pir Ali Baba but Saima had withdrawn her candidature in favour of Baba on his request; however, Sonia contested the by-election as independent candidate and remained a runner-up.

When the PTI awarded a ticket to Sonia, Saima announced to contest the July 25 election against her. Both the women launched a campaign before the elders of Makhdoom family mediated reconciliation between them.

Saima and Sonia did not divulge any details of the agreement but sources disclosed that according to the settlement, Saima would support Sonia this time while Sonia would leave the 2023 election for her.

Political observers said the litigation between both the Makhdoom family women would also come to an end as a result of this reconciliation.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2018