BAJAUR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Jamaat-i-Islami candidates are the front runners for two of the three provincial assembly constituencies in Bajaur tribal district, observes told Dawn on Wednesday.

They said impressive election campaign run by the JI and PTI hopefuls had paved the way for their likely victory on the two seats.

They said though it was difficult to predict the winner, people’s support appeared to favour Malik Mohammad Ayaz Khan of JI and Anwar Zeb Khan of PTI on PK-19 and PK-20, respectively.

They stated that Malik Ayaz was facing Malik Khalid khan of JUI-F in PK-19.

Similarly, the observers said PTI’s Anwar Zeb, who was former provincial minister and PTI provincial vice-president, was facing PML-N’s provincial vice-president and former lawmaker Shahabuddin Khan in PK-20.

According to them, Anwar Zeb stood the chance of winning against Shahabuddin following his active election campaign and people’s support extended to him.

The observers added the situation in PK-21 was not yet clear as there were three strong candidates — Haji Sardar Khan of JI, Rasheed Khan of ANP and PTI-backed Eng Ajmal Khan, a former MPA.

However, they were of the opinion that a close and interesting contest was expected between Ajmal Khan and Haji Sardar Khan.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2024