TIMERGARA: A two-way fight is expected between MMA’s Muzafar Said and PPP’s Mehmood Zeb Khan on PK-15, Lower Dir-III, during the Wednesday’s general elections.

A total of 11 candidates, including independents, are vying for this seat but, according to political observers, a close contest is expected between the two former ministers.

The PTI has fielded SSP retired Shafiullah Khan in PK-15; Syed Inayat ur Rehman is contesting on PML-N ticket, Sajjad Ahmad on ANP ticket and a woman, Sumaira Begum is contesting as independent.

PTI’s Shafiullah, according to analysts, can also spring a surprise if he is succeeded in getting the support of disenchanted voters of JI, ANP and PML-N.

The position of MMA’s Muzafar Said, who is from JI, is stated to be strong due to the support of JUI-F that has a solid vote bank almost in all villages of the constituency. The JUI-F’s district organisation also withdrew its candidate, Mufti Khalid Mehmood, who was running as independent.

However, PPP’s Mehmood Zeb is also going strong in PK-15 as majority of voters seem displeased with the performance of Muzafar said, who was finance minister during the PTI government in the province.

Mehmood Zeb also remained minister for technical education, minerals and development from 2008 to 2013.

Analysts find it difficult to predict who will ultimately grab the seat because women of the area are expected to come out from their homes and use their right to vote for the first time in general elections.

PML-N CONCERN:The Pakistan Muslim League-N candidate for NA-6, Lower Dir, Sardar Javed Akhtar on Sunday expressed concern over arrests of his party’s candidates before the elections. Addressing different corner meetings and talking to journalists he said it was not election but selection. He termed the arrest of Haneef Abbasi a conspiracy against the PML-N and said this type of judicial activism would lead the country toward anarchism and chaos.

POLITICAL WORKERS JOIN ANP: Scores of political workers in Bagh Dushkhel union council on Sunday announced quitting their parties and joined ANP.

A function in this regard was held at Tawda China village in Bagh Doshkhel.

On the occasion, ANP candidate for PK-15 Malik Sajjad Ahmad said reposing confidence in ANP by a large number of political workers just three days ahead of the elections was a testimony to the fact that ANP was getting popular by the day among the people of Dir.

He said ANP had completed mega projects in Lower Dir, including provision of natural gas, construction of Bacha Khan outpatient department at the district headquarters hospital, establishment of Abdul Wali Khan University’s Timergara campus, and approval of Jandool and Maidan grid stations.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2018