Who do you predict will win NA-53, the Islamabad constituency where bigwigs Imran Khan and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi are up against each other?

In a piece for Dawn today, Arifa Noor writes that although Abbasi faces Imran Khan who has even less time to spare for Islamabad, observers feel that Abbasi cannot match Khan’s star appeal.

Abbasi dismisses this. “I have been living in Islamabad for 44 years. I know the people since my grandfather’s time, have been in touch with them, have been visiting them. And the party structure is in place.”

Noor observes that Abbasi's campaign seems low key, with Khan’s posters seen near his home too.

The ex-premier brushes aside any suggestions that his campaign is lacklustre. “This is my way of working... low-key. I don’t believe in high-profile events. I would rather just go out and meet people.

“Let me tell you, Imran Khan will lose from Banigala [where Mr Khan resides] also,” he says and then laughs mischievously.

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...