MANSEHRA: No political party is in a position to sweep the July 25 general elections in the two national and five provincial assembly constituencies of Mansehra district as happened in the 2013 polls, when Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had secured the two NA and four provincial seats.

In NA-13, Mansehra-I, though 13 contenders are in the running a tough competition is expected between PML-N’s Sardar Shahjehan Yousuf, the son-in-law of former federal minister Sardar Mohammad Yousuf, and independent Salah Mohammad Khan, who is backed by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.

In NA-14, which comprises areas of Mansehra and Torghar districts, there are 10 aspirants in the fray, but a tough fight is likely among PTI’s Zargul Khan, PML-N’s Mohammad Sajjad and Muttahidda Majlis-i-Amal’s Mufti Kifaitullah. The position of PML-N seemed little better in the constituency before retired captain Mohammad Safdar was convicted in Avenfield reference, but now all three parties -- PML-N, PTI and MMA – can secure the constituency.

In 2013 elections, Mr Safdar, the son-in-law of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, had emerged as the winner. In PK-30, there are 12 contenders in the running but real fight is among Syed Ahmad Hussain Shah of PPP, Mian Ziaur Rehman of PML-N and independent Mazhar Ali Qasim.

In PK-31, there are 13 contenders in the field, but the real contest is among PTI’s Babar Saleem Khan Swati, PML-N’s Sardar Zahoor, MMA’s Khurram Khan Swati, independent Nadar Khan and Syed Tahir Hussain Shah of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan.

In PK-32, a neck and neck competition is expected among Zahid Chenzeb of PTI, Habibur Rehman Tanoli of Qaumi Watan Party, Ibrar Hussain of MMA, Naeem Sakhi of PML-N and Mohammad Shujah Khan of PPP.

In PK-33, a tough contest is expected among Nawabzada Fareed Salahudden of PTI, Nasir Mehmood of MMA and Ali Mohammad Khan of PML-N. In PK-34, former federal minister for religious affairs Sardar Mohammad Yousuf, independents Shahzada Gustasip Khan, Waqarul Mulk and Shah Abdul Aziz of MMA are the front runners.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2018