MIANWALI: As the 2024 election approaches in a few days, the hometown of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan is experiencing a surge in support for his party’s candidates due to a sympathy wave.

Social media plays a vital role in enticing voters to cast their votes for PTI-nominated candidates running as independents. This district holds the credit for electing Mr Khan in the past two elections.

The district comprises two National Assembly (NA) and four Provincial Assembly (PA) seats. In the 2018 elections, PTI secured victories in all seats. However, the absence of the PTI symbol in this election may pose a challenge for illiterate voters to identify their preferred party.

Here are the details of candidates in each constituency.

NA-89: PTI-backed candidate is Jamal Ahsan Khan of Isakhel, who is known as a close ally of Imran Khan. The other strong candidates include Obaidullah Khan Shadikhel of PML-N (a two-time MNA) and Nawab Malik Amir Mohammad Khan of the PPP (a scion of the Nawab family). Retired Maj Khurram Hameed Khan is also contesting as an independent candidate. He is a first timer in the constituency, and ditched the PTI when it lost power.

Two PA constituencies (PP-85 and PP-86) fall under NA-89.

In PP-85, PML-N candidate for this constituency is former MPA Amanatullah Shadikhel, while PTI candidate is retired Maj Muhammad Iqbal Khan, who is banking on PTI support and Pushto-speaking populace. Other prominent candidate is Malik Muzamal Ali Khan of PPP, from the Nawab of Kalabagh family.

In PP-86 Prominent contenders include former PTI MPA Ameenullah Khan (PTI), Adil Abdullah Khan Rokhri (independent), and Malik Athar Yar Khan Awan (independent). Ameenullah is unable to campaign and has been in hiding.

NA-90: Of the 16 candidates in the run, main contest between PML-N and PTI candidates. The PML-N candidate is Barrister Humair Hayat Niazi, who is facing PTI’s Barrister Umair Khan Niazi, Ali Haider Noor Khan Niazi (independent) and Rana Azizur Rehman (PPP).

This NA constituency has two PA constituencies – PP-87 and PP-88. For PP-87, main contestants are: Inamullah Khan of the PML-N, former MPA Ahmed Khan Bhachar of the PTI, Sajjad Ahmad Malik (independent), and Muhammad Ayaz Khan of PPP. PML-N candidate Inamullah Khan has been elected MPA and MNA from this area in the past. He is real cousin of the PTI founder, but in politics, he is Mr Khan’s rival.

PTI’s Malik Bhachar is a two-time MPA but this time, facing legal issues and crackdown is unable to campaign openly. Newcomer Sajad Ahmed Malik is a brother-in-law of Malik Ahmed Khan, with family influence in the constituency. Another newcomer is Muhammad Ayaz Khan of PPP.

In PP-88, PML-N candidate Malik Feroze Joyia has an edge in the constituency due to the absence of Sabtain Khan, former MPA of PTI, and speaker of the Punjab Assembly. The PTI is supporting newcomer Mumtaz Ahmad Asar. He is running his campaign through social media. Another newcomer, Rukhsana Begum of the PPP, is likely to attract party followers.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2024