ISLAMABAD: Divisions within the PML-N’s Islamabad chapter may give the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) an edge in NA-54.

Interviews with a number of PML-N office-bearers and supporters in the constituency have revealed that the majority do not believe it a wise decision to grant a ticket to Anjum Aqeel Khan.

They cite various reasons – first and foremost being a lack of support from the local leadership. Anjum Aqeel is also facing two corruption cases and could be disqualified if the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) allegations are proven correct even after the elections.

Another issue is the lack of support from the Pirs of Golra Sharif, who have asked their followers not to vote PML-N in the wake of the Khatm-i-Nabuwat amendment.

The presence of Anjum Aqeel’s relative Zubair Khan – who recently left Jamaat-i-Islami – as an independent candidate in the elections has also divided Golra’s Khan biradari.

All this may prove to be good tidings for PTI’s Asad Umer, although he too does not have a strong footing in the constituency.

“The situation could have been different if our party had considered candidates for NA-54 other than Anjum Aqeel Khan,” said Rajab Ali, who lives in Siri Saral, close to Golra.

Zeeshan Naqvi or Malik Noor Awam should have been considered instead, he said, because they were stronger candidates and had the support of the people of the area.

Noor Awan was one of the aspirants for the PML-N ticket in NA-54, but he accepted the party decision has been supporting Anjum Aqeel with Zeeshan Naqvi. However, it is believed that their support will not work.

A local PML-N leader, Abdul Hafeezur Rehman Alia Tipu – chairman of the Badhana union council – is also contesting as an independent and could do some damage to Anjum Aqeel.

“Most of the union council chairmen [belonging to the PML-N] are supporting Tipu instead of Anjum Aqeel because of the latter’s dubious role in the last general election in which he opposed PML-N candidate Ashraf Gujjar and urged his followers to support Asad Umer of PTI,” said party worker Zahid Khan.

He said the incumbent deputy major Azam Khan and Tarnol and Jhangi Syedan union council chairmen Malik Rizwan and Gulzar Khan were supporting Mr Tipu.

The PML-N still enjoys public support in NA-54’s rural areas, but because the PTI is dominating the urban localities, PTI’s position is said to be better in the constituency.

While people have complained that Mr Umer has been absent at important personal moments, he is also credited with speaking for affected people in the rural areas whose land was acquired by the Capital Development Authority to develop new residential sectors but who had not been compensated for their holdings.

Mr Umer also recently sought the support of the Pirs of Golra during a visit, who announced their support for the PTI and its candidates across the country.

Mr Umer, when asked, said he was in a stronger position because of his performance and his political career. He also predicted that the corruption cases being investigated by NAB would play a decisive role against Anjum Aqeel.

“I agree that he can be disqualified even after the polls,” he said.

Mr Tipu said he has the support of most local PML-N leaders and workers and would secure more votes than Anjum Aqeel, adding: “It is because of Anjum’s character that people are with me.”

He said the PTI candidate would get a similar number of votes from the rural areas, and the support of the Pirs of Golra would not make a difference.

A close aide to Anjum Aqeel, however, said he would win the election in NA-54 because of his service to people of the constituency. He said Anjum Aqeel enjoyed full support in the rural and urban parts of NA-54.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2018