HYDERABAD: Contrary to the Pakistan Peoples Party’s expectations that influential Mahars’ entry into the party’s fold had bolstered its position in Ghotki district, the PPP suffered shock defeats on two provincial seats reportedly due to infighting in the Ghotki chapter of the party, according to sources.

A former provincial minister Abdul Bari Pitafi and PTI’s turncoat who had defected to PPP, Shaharyar Shar, lost to their rivals. Jam Mahtab Dahar defeated Shar on PS-18 and Bari Pitafi was defeated by independent Nadir Akmal Leghari on PS-19.

Dahar, who was a former Sindh health minister, contested polls as independent after his party did not consider him for ticket and preferred Shar over him.

Dahar obtained 56,285 to defeat Shar who received 54,705 votes. Similarly, Leghari polled 55,683 against Pitafi’s 44,186 votes.

PPP had already obtained simple majority for forming its provincial government.

After Ali Gohar Mahar, who was elected as MPA from Ghotki as Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) candidate in 2018 polls had joined the PPP ahead of Feb 8 polls, the former ruling party felt assured that it would sweep polls in Ghotki district thanks to Mahar’s influence.

But sources in Ghotki PPP said that Pitafi and Shar faced opposition by those who mattered in Ghotki chapter of PPP, including Khalid Loond and Ali Gohar Mahar, who facilitated Leghari and Dahar’s wins.

The sources said that Ms Faryal Talpur had made serious efforts before Feb 8 geenral election to bring about rapproachment among disputing PPP leaders in Ghotki district but in vain.

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2024