SARGODHA, Nov 15: PML nominee Haroon Ehsan Piracha filed his nomination papers for NA-64 by elections, while his cousin Hassan Inam Piracha and Rao Tahir Musharaf, who claims to be ARD nominee, also filed their papers for the National Assembly seat.

The seat was vacated by Inamul Haq Piracha, who was elected district nazim.

Haroon Ehsan Piracha, is son of former state minister for finance Sheikh Ehsanul Haq Piracha. Though, being a ruling party nominee, Mr Piracha’s position is considered strong, the PPP’s local leaders, including Tasneem Ahmad Qureshi and Malik Azizul Haq are of the view that the Pirachas would face rejection by the voters as the family abandoned the party for ‘personal gains’.

Meanwhile, the Pirachas still feel confident of getting a nod from the electorate as they claim they joined the PML in ‘larger public interest’.

Many major political groups of the area have already pledged support for Haroon Piracha.

For the provincial assembly seat, PP-33, the ruling party has nominated former tehsil nazim Dr Liaqat Ali Khan, who also filed nomination papers. Meanwhile, the PPP has pitched Afzal Mirza for the seat, which was vacated by present Tehsil Nazim Shoaib Ahmad Awan. Mr Awan had won the seat on PPP ticket, but later he joined the ruling party.

Local observers say biradarism will be a key factor in the election as Arain biradari may go against Dr Liaqat who was awarded party ticket after an Arain candidate Mian Khursheed Anwar’s BA degree was declared fake.