SWABI: The candidates of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf have locked horns in PK-49, PK-50 and PK-51 constituencies for the Feb 8 elections.

In PK-49, the total registered voters are 206,874, including 95,824 women. Fourteen candidates are in the contest.

In 2013 elections, Mohammed Shiraz of PML-N had won the seat.

In 2018 elections, PTI’s Rangaiz Khan emerged victorious.

Ghafoor Khan Jadoon of JUI-F, who is contesting the election for the first time after serving a 15-year ban imposed on him by a court in a wheat scandal case, is one of the leading contenders for PK-49 as he has very strong position in the Gadoon belt.

Three ex-PTI lawmakers are also in the fray

Rangaiz Khan of PTI, who is contesting for the third time from this constituency, is also counted among the key contenders.

Shiraz Khan of PML-N has boosted his position with seat adjustment with Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Nazriyati as he withdrew in favour of JUI-N’s Maulana Khalil Ahmad from NA-19, and JUI-N agreed to support him in PK-49.

In PK-50, total registered voters are 235,153, including 109,417 women. A total nine candidates are in the fray in this constituency.

Babar Khan of PML-N and Nawabzada of ANP are in tough contest on this seat.

Mr Babar had won this seat in 2013, but lost in 2018.

In 2018, Asad Qaiser of PTI won this constituency.

This seat was also won twice by Babar’s father, late Dr Mohammed Salim, who also remained provincial health minister.

Political observers said Mr Babar was not only a politician but also a social worker, and he stood the chance of winning the seat.

ANP leaders are confident their candidate, Nawabzada has made inroads into different political parties and would win the seat.

PTI-backed Aqibullah Khan, who is brother of Asad Qaiser, is also being tipped as a strong candidate.

In PK-51, where total registered voters are 218,441, including 102,347 women, 12 candidates are in the fray.

In 2018, Abdul Karim of PTI had won the seat.

In this constituency, Sikandar Irfan of ANP, Abdul Karim of PTI Nawabzada of PML-N and Noor Islam of JUI-F are in a tough competition.

Mr Irfan of ANP had won the seat in 2008 on ANP ticket. He had left ANP and contested 2013 elections as independent. Later, he joined PPPP and contested 2018 election on its ticket.

He rejoined ANP a few months back on the condition that he would be awarded ticket.

Mr Karim of PTI belongs to a political family, and his father, late Abdul Raziq was a leading politician and counted among founders of PPP.

Mr Karim won this seat twice, first in 2013 on QWP ticket, and in 2018 on PTI ticket.

Noor Islam of JUI-F is also considered a tough candidate in PK-51.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2024

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