MANSEHRA: Campaigning by candidates and their supporters for the March 31 local body elections has revived the pandemic-hit printing business in Hazara division.

Printer Mohammad Siraj told Dawn on Saturday thatthe coronavirus pandemic-induced restrictions had devastated printing industry in the region causing the layoff of over 2,000 workers, but the printers began receiving orders after the announcement of schedule for elections in seven of the eight districts of Hazara division.

He claimed that the ongoing electoral activities had generated over Rs300 million worth of business in Hazara division.

The printing press’s owner said he had booked orders for printing posters, panaflex banners, flags, buntings, and other canvassing material, while his clients included nominees of political parties as well as independents.

He said the candidates of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Peoples Party, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl and Jamaat-i-Islami were spending large sums of money on the printing of posters and banners.

Mr Siraj said election candidates in Mansehra and Abbottabad districts were depending on printed materials more than those running for local bodies in Torghar, Battagram, Kolai-Palas, and Lower and Upper Kohistan districts.

“There are around 100 panaflex and other printing machines and on average, each of them is generating Rs3 million business during this election season,” he said.

The printer said many people had sold printing machines over poor business when the coronavirus incidence peaked but they had rented those machines and re-hired employees to benefit from the election-related business.

Sajid Sadiq, a candidate for the general councillor’s seat, said the Election Commission of Pakistan had allowed the limited use of posters and panaflex banners but even then, the printers had received large orders from candidates and their supporters.

He said many orders were for the printing of small cards and invitation letters with the names, symbols and other details of election candidates and that that material would be distributed to voters.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2022