GUJRAT: Former district Nazim of Gujranwala, Fayyaz Chattha, the son of veteran politician Hamid Nasir Chattha, is contesting the by-election in PP-36, Wazirabad.

The elder son of the veteran politician has entered the parliamentary politics for the first time as he was previously elected district Nazim twice in 2001 and 2005.

Mr Chattha is a PTI-backed candidate but he is contesting the by-poll from the platform of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) as per the policy of his party.

The PP-36 seat was vacated by his younger brother, Muhammad Ahmed Chattha, who had won the election on two seats, including an NA seat. He retained the NA seat and left the provincial assembly.

The by-election is scheduled for April 21 and candidates have geared up electioneering following the Eid respite.

Close contest expected between PTI-SIC and PML-N candidates

The PML-N has once again relied on its previous candidate in the Feb 8 election and awarded the ticket to Adnan Afzal Chattha.

Former MPA and Gujranwala district president of the PPP, Ijaz Samman, told Dawn PPP candidate Tahir Iqbal Cheema had withdrawn his nomination papers in favour of the PML-N candidate for the by-poll as per directions of the senior party leadership.

At least 13 candidates are in the run for the by-election, including Baseerat Ali Mujahid of the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), Sikandar Nawaz of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and some independents; however, main contest is expected between the PTI-SIC alliance and PML N.

PTI-backed MNA Muhammad Ahmed Chattha has also joined the election campaign of his elder brother, following the acceptance of his bail plea from the court. He had disappeared after May 9 and could not run his own campaign in the general election.

The PTI sources blamed police and district administration for creating hurdles to the election campaign as a heavy contingent of police had besieged the Chattha Haveli in Ahmed Nagar on Friday night. They alleged that local supporters were also being harassed through various tactics.

Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2024