MANSEHRA: A close contest is expected between PML-N nominee Sardar Shahjehan Yousuf and PTI-backed independent candidate Salah Mohammad Khan in the NA-13, Mansehra, constituency.

The PTI had first named Ambreen Swati in the constituency but later cancelled her ticket to support Salah Mohammad, a PML-N dissident. Thirteen candidates are in the running with seven of them contesting election independently. The observers said PTI-backed independent candidate Salah Mohammad Khan and PML-N nominee and former federal minister Sardar Mohammad Yousaf’s son Sardar Shahjehan Yousuf were neck and neck.

They however said the independents could adversely affect the chances of both candidates to win contest.

Among independent candidates are Afsar Khan, Samar Islam, Sardar Sultan, Salah Mohammad Khan, Mohammad Banaras and Gulfam Khan Swati.

Though Ambreen Swati had announced she won’t contest election after the cancelation of her nomination by the PTI, the list of independents continues to carry her name.

Former MNA Shahjehan Yousuf is contesting election in NA-13 on the PML-N’s ticket, Amir Shahzad on the Tehreek Labeik Pakistan’s, Abdul Salam on Hamdardan-i-Watan Pakistan’s, Mohammad Javed on Pak Sarzameen Party’s, Abdul Baseer on Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal’s and Nargis Ali on Pakistan Muslim League’s.

For the first time in the district’s history, a woman, Nargis Ali, is among the candidates.

The seat was won by Mr Shahjehan, then the PML-Quaid nominee, in the 2002 and 2008 general elections and by PML-N candidate Sardar Mohammad Yousuf in the 2013 elections.

SUPPORT ANNOUNCED: The Ahle-i-Sunnat Waljammat on Thursday announced support for Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-backed independent candidate in NA-13, Salah Mohammad Khan.

ASW leader Maulana Rabnawaz Tahir told reporters here that his party had announced support for Salah Mohammad as he’d promised to table a bill in the National Assembly after election about the protection of the sanctity of the Companions of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

Salah Mohammad, who was also in attendance, said he would address the basic issues of the NA-13 residents, especially shortage of drinking water.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2018