ATTOCK, Aug 20: As electioneering for various union council slots has gained momentum in the district, the local leaders of the ruling as well as opposition parties have also jumped into the arena to get their favourite candidates elected amid reports of largescale election code violations.

Despite the Election Commission’s announcement that the polls would be held on non-party basis, the local leaders of almost all major political parties are openly taking part in the campaigns of their favourites.

The parliamentarians belonging to treasury benches are often seen addressing the public meetings arranged by the candidates backed by their respective groups. Likewise, ministers are taking part in electioneering, flouting the official policy and the code of conduct.

The leaders of opposition parties, including Malik Hakmeen Khan, Saleem Hyder, Dr Sikandar Hayat of the PPP, Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, Malik Lal Khan, Malik Asif of the PML-N and Barkat Ali Khan of the MMA are supporting their candidates.

However, the ruling PML’s three groups — one led by Minister of State for Environment Malik Amin Aslam, the other led by Public Account Committee Chairman Malik Allah Yar Khan and the third by former district nazim Attock Maj (retired) Tahir Sadik Khan — are in for a close contest in the district comprising 72 union councils.

Claiming the ruling party’s support, Malik Amin Aslam and Malik Allah Yar’s groups are confident about their victory against the Khattar group of Tahir Sadik, which is also backed by the PML.

Punjab cooperative minister Col (retired) Malik Mohammad Anwar, Punjab inspection minister Col (retired) Shujah Khanzada, MPAs Sardar Mohammad Ali Khan and Pir Mohiuddin, and Senator Sardar Mehmood Khan of the PML are also backing Tahir Sadik Khan in the elections.

On the other hand, Minister for State Malik Amin Aslam, leader of Ehtesab Group, has fielded his candidates in the 33 UCs with the support of PPP, PML-N, Mehnut Kush Muhaz and other anti- Khattar Group lobbies.

Similarly, Malik Allah Yar Khan, a close ally of Malik Amin Aslam and an arch rival of the former district nazim, has fielded candidates of his group in all 39 UCs of Fatehjang, Jand and Pindigheb tehsils with the backing of PPP, PML-N and other local groups.

The PAC chairman also enjoys support of former MNAs Malik Lal Khan, Malik Ameer Mohammad Khan, MPAs Malik Asif Ali, Syed Ibrar Hussain, Nawabzada Sarfaraz Khan, and former district naib nazim Attock Malik Suhail.

Meanwhile, the code of conduct violations by union council candidates are rampant in both rural and urban areas of the district. Firing, blocking of roads, meetings with lavish meals, installation of huge billboards and banners, wall chalking, interviews on cable TV networks, and mudslinging against each other is the order of the day.