LAHORE, Sept 6: The ruling PML is likely to make some ‘surprise changes’ to the list of its supported candidates for the Lahore town nazim seats, giving preference to the mighty and powerful mainly dealing in real estate business.

According to insiders, Chaudhry Waheed, the brother of former Lahore zila council chairman Chaudhry Shaukat, could now be the choice of the party for the nazim of Wagah Town instead of Ashiq Dyal. Sources say in view of the changed situation, Ashiq Dyal has withdrawn his candidature and started lobbying for his son-in-law Ejaz Dyal. Both the groups are powerful.

In Nishtar Town, Sheikh Younis is the likely choice of the party instead of a candidate from the Warriach group led by Minister of State for Defence Maj Habibullah Warriach. Sheikh Younas is stated to be a man from Jhang and is the owner of a leading construction company.

In Samanabad, Mian Javed, a former naib nazim of Iqbal Town and the son-in-law of a friend of the powers to be, is stated to be the likely choice for the seat of Samanabad Town nazim.

Sources say he will beat Punjab Minister Aleem Khan who is lobbying for his brother-in-law, Lahore PML president Mian Munir who wants his son to become the town nazim and Mian Aslam Iqbal who has fielded his brother Amjad Iqbal.

In Data Town, the likely choice is Lahore PML General Secretary Sohail Butt, owner of a foreign watch company, instead of Tariq Sana Bajwa. Sources say Mr Bajwa is the choice of Mian Amer while Butt has more powerful connections.

Sources claim that Butt’s candidature has been ensured by the Kashmiri group within the PML which called on the chief minister two days ago to demand biradari’s share in the power corridors of Lahore.

In Iqbal Town, Sardar Kamil Umar, a former MNA, is the likely choice for the nazimship instead of his brother Sardar Adil Umar. Kamil recently joined the ruling party after deserting PPP. He is likely to beat Rana Ashraf, another aspirant stated to be a relative of the Punjab chief secretary.

The son of MPA Malik Ahad, a leading Lahore builder and real estate dealer, is likely to get the PML support for the Ravi Town nazimship.

“This suggests that none of those who served the party wholeheartedly is to get any nazimship of the Lahore towns. The selection is likely to be made from amongst the moneyed people of the city,” a Leaguer remarked.