LOWER DIR: Jamaat-i-Islami chief Sirajul Haq faces a tough contest as he is pitched against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s nominee and former MNA Mohammad Bashir Khan and Awami National Party’s former MPA Haji Bahadar Khan in NA-6, Lower Dir-I.

NA-6 consists of Jandol subdivision, Maidan and some union councils of Balambat tehsil. The constituency is considered a stronghold of JI, but in 2018 election, PTI’s Mohammad Bashir had defeated Mr Haq.

A total of 11 candidates are in the run for the seat, including Sirajul Haq, Mohammad Bashir, Haji Bahadar Khan of ANP, Roohullah Khan of PML-N, Mohammad Sher Khan of JUI-F, Mohammad Hanif Khan of PPP and independents Ali Shah Mishwani, Amanul Haq, Aimal Khan, Fawad Ali and Mohammad Din Jan.

However, Fawad Ali and Mohammad Din Jan have withdrawn their nominations.

According to political analysts, a tough contest is expected among the JI chief, PTI’s Bashir Khan and ANP’s Bahadar Khan as they are influential personalities and have been elected lawmakers in the past.

Bahadar Khan, who is district president of ANP, has been elected as member of provincial assembly several times. PTI candidate Bashir Khan, though is an independent this time as the party has lost the ‘bat’ symbol, had won the 2018 election for National Assembly. He is considered close to PTI founder Imran Khan.

However, internal rifts in PTI, according to the analysts, would benefit the JI chief as Ali Shah Mishwani, another party activist, is also vying for this seat.

The number of total registered voters in NA-6 is 457,057, including 203,103 women.

The election commission would set up 307 polling stations (79 for men, 73 for women and 155 combined). A total of 126,483 new voters have been registered in this constituency since 2018.

Similarly, a total of 16 candidates are in the run for NA-7, Lower Dir-II, including Zahid Khan of ANP, Syed Mahboob Shah of PTI, Maulana Mohammad Ismail of JI, Sirajuddin of JUI-F, Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan of Rabita Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Shirani, Alam Zeb Advocate of PPP and independent Mohammad Inam Khan, who is a PTI nominee.

The number of total voters in NA-7 is 413,777, including 185,940 women. A total of 307 polling stations, including 96 for men, 92 for women and 119 combined, would be set up.

A total of 62,532 voters have been registered in this constituency since 2018 election.

On this seat, a tight contest is expected among PTI nominee Syed Mahboob Shah, Maulana Ismail of JI, Zahid Khan of ANP and Alam Zeb of PPP.

In 2018, the seat was clinched by PTI’s Mahboob Shah.

However, this time another PTI activist, Malik Mohammad Inam is also in the run, making it difficult for Mahboob Shah to retain the seat.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2024