ABBOTTABAD: The scrutiny of nomination papers have left 124 candidates in the field for elections in the two National Assembly and four provincial assembly constituencies of Abbottabad.

There are 20 candidates in NA-15, 23 in NA-16, 26 in PK-36, 21 in PK-37, 20 in PK-38 and 24 in PK-39.

Though political parties and independent candidates have begun election campaigns, the PML-N has yet to do so due to a delay in its election nominations.

Among the PML-N leaders, who have filed nomination papers in NA-15, are former provincial governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan and former National Assembly deputy speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi.

If the PML-N insiders are to be believed, Murtaza Javed is likely to get the party’s NA-15 ticket.

Sardar Mahtab’s nomination papers as the PML-N nominee have been rejected in NA-53 Islamabad.

He has got the PML-N ticket from NA-16 Abbottabad for his elder son, Sardar Sheryar Khan, who is little known in the local political circles compared to other son and former MPA, Sardar Shamoon.

Tehreek-i-Sooba Hazara leader Baba Haider Zaman is a candidate for NA-15 seat but he, as the observers insist, is unlikely to win the elections.

Former National Assembly deputy speaker Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob is contesting elections in the constituency as an independent candidate after denial of ticket by the PTI.

He will challenge PTI’s Ali Asghar Khan, younger son of former air chief Air Marshal Asghar Khan.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2018