GUJAR KHAN: PPP leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf weathered the PTI’s storm to win the National Assembly mainly because of his focus on development in his constituency.

The Gujar Khan MNA ushered in unprecedented development in the area after assuming the office of prime minister in 2012, improving the supply of gas, electricity as well as infrastructure in villages and increasing jobs for young people.

Despite this, Mr Ashraf was defeated in the 2013 elections by PML-N’s Raja Jawaid Ikhlas, who did not facilitate Gujar Khan residents the same way. Instead, locals were distanced by the then-MNA and the MPAs, Raja Shaukat Aziz Bhatti and Chaudhry Iftikhar Warsi.

This time, people from remote villages whose localities were provided gas and electricity, and areas that had been neglected by the previous MNA, came out in support of Mr Ashraf.

In areas such as Bhaer Kalial, the former MNA did not receive a single vote at some polling stations.

Residents of Bhaer Kalial, Jhugal and other villages even hung posters declaring PML-N candidates – who on Wednesday lost all three national and provincial seats – persona non grata.

Mr Ashraf won the constituency with 125,090 votes, while Chaudhry Mohammad Azeem received 96,575 and Raja Jawaid Ikhlas received 72,620.

In 2013, Mr Ikhlas had received 121,067 votes against Mr Ashraf’s 67,146 and PTI candidate Farhat Faheem Bhatti had received 39,842.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2018