SWABI: One on one contest would be held between the candidates of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Awami National Party in October 14 by-elections in PK-44, Swabi-II.

The contest has turned interesting because the ruling PTI is on the one side and all other political parties backing ANP are on the other. All other candidates have already withdrawn their nomination papers and left the field open for the two parties.

ANP candidate Ghulam Hassan will face PTI’s Aqibullah Khan in October 14 by-polls. The latter is the brother of National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser who had vacated the constituency and opted to retain NA-18, Swabi-I.

During the campaign the PTI leaders are telling the people that their party has the government both in the centre and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and a victory would help them to initiate development projects, providing gas facility and meeting other demands of the local people.

The ruling party leaders also said that if Mr Aqibullah won he was expected to be given the minister’s slot. “I can confidently say that Aqibullah would be given ministry,” said Anwar Haqdad, PTI’s district president.

Mr Aqibullah claimed that his rival candidate Mr Hassan might not deliver even if he won the election.

On the other hand, PPP, PML-N, MMA and QWP, who are supporting the ANP candidate, have already made a policy statement in favour of Mr Hassan and declared him as their joint candidate.

“We have told the ANP leaders that our workers will vote for Mr Hassan on Oct 14,” said Javid Inqilabi, former district president of PPP. Sources said that local leaders of ANP, PPP, PML-N, MMA and QWP were of the view that it would be a great setback for them if they faced collective defeat in the election.

Mr Hassan warned the people of Maneri and other nearby regions that they could face problems if they voted for PTI candidate.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2018