A battle in Punjab for control of the centre. PTI versus PML-N. PPP secure in its base in Sindh and looking to win back bits of space elsewhere. A clutch of smaller parties and independents.

Why is central Punjab so fiercely divided? Why are folk there unable to choose decisively between Imran and Nawaz?

In 2013, the few seats won in central Punjab may have shocked and deflated the PTI, but the votes the party gathered were substantial and immediately confirmed the main battle of 2018.

Depending on who you support and who you hate, you can be impressed or repulsed by what Imran and Nawaz have created for their individual selves in central Punjab.

Imran for genuinely breaking into an area where the core of the enemy party’s political machine is present. Nawaz for demonstrating that even when bludgeoned, his support in central Punjab will keep the N-League electorally competitive.

You can guess some of the reasons why central Punjab is so divided.

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