ABBOTTABAD: Though the general elections are just five days away, the traditional political hustle and bustle ahead of the electoral exercise is missing here.

Observers insist voter apathy is caused by the freezing temperature that has swept across the mountainous region for the last couple of days.

They told Dawn that as snow began falling in Galiyat and Thandiyani later than usual this winter, candidates failed to bring voters to corner meetings in large numbers. The observers said lack of enthusiasm was also noticed at the main election offices of candidates.

The independents backed by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf complain that they’re denied a level playing field ahead of elections unlike opponents who are free to hold rallies and corner meetings to solicit votes.

Observers attribute voter apathy to cold wave

However, the district administration rejects the assertion and says only those with its proper permission can hold election rallies in line with the standard operating procedure formulated by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

The Abbottabad district has two seats in the National Assembly and four in the provincial assembly.

Among heavyweights for the National Assembly seats are senior politician Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan Abbasi – a former chief minister and governor – who is contesting election in the NA-16 constituency as an independent candidate, former deputy speaker of the National Assembly Murtaza Javed Abbasi of the PML-N, and PTI-based independent Ali Asghar Khan, a son of late Air Marshal Asghar Khan.

For Abbottabad-II seat, former MNA of the PTI Ali Khan Jadoon, the elder son of former federal and provincial minister Amanullah Khan Jadoon, and Mohabat Awan are considered to be strong candidates.

In the last two weeks, the Mehtab Camp secured “unprecedented” support of influential figures and succeeded in getting the candidates backed by them to withdraw their candidatures in his support.

They include former district nazim and PTI-P leader Sardar Sher Bahadur and two groups, including one headed by Sardar Jinda Khan of Nathiagali and the other from Tajwal area.

The Mehtab Camp has announced support for Ali Khan Jadoon in NA-17 – a move that could prove a setback for PML-N nominee Mohabat Awan.

It is supporting Arshad Awan of the PML-N in PK-45 against Speaker of the provincial assembly Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani and former senator and independent Javed Abbasi in PK-43.

Javed Abbasi will face Sardar Khalid of the PML-N, Abdul Rizaque Abbasi of the Jamaat-i-Islami and PTI-backed independent Rajab Ali Khan Abbasi in the PK -43 constituency.

Former district nazim Sardar Mohammad Shabbir, the son of former NA deputy speaker Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob, has withdrawn his candidature in favour of PTI nominee Rajab Ali Khan Abbasi, while Sardar Sher Bahadur of the PTI-P backed Javed Abbasi.

Former PA speaker and PTI leader Mushtaq Ghani is trying hard to retain his PK-45 seat for which a tough contest is expected among Arshad Awan of the PML-N, Amjad Khan Jadoon of the Jamaat-i-Islami, Syed Saleem Shah of the PPP, Asad Javed Khan of the Hazara Qaumi Mahaz.

Waseem Khan affiliated with the PPP but contesting election as an independent is considered a strong candidate.

Though Ghani is affiliated with the PTI, people highlight his “old loyalty and association” with PTI-P chief Pervez Khattak.

Arshad Awan of the PML- N and Amjad Khan Jadoon of the JI are strong contestants in PK-45.

In KP-44, PML-N nominee Aurangzeb Nulhota is challenged by PTI-backed Iftikhar Khan Jadoon and 15 other candidates.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2024