MUZAFFARGARH, June 3: Governor Salman Taseer will visit Mirwala in Jatoi on Wednesday (today) with a stated aim of meeting women rights activist Mukhtar Mai and visiting a crisis centre and a school being run by her organisation. But, sources say deep down the visit is part of the electioneering for PP-258 bypoll to be held in Jatoi where the Pakistan People’s Party candidate is said to be facing a difficult situation. The governor will also visit Khanewal where bypoll is being held also.

Mai’s secretary Ms Naseem told Dawn the governor would visit the crisis centre and a school where 700 students were getting free-of-cost education and pick-and-drop service.

A PPP official said the governor would also meet PPP MNAs, MPAs and local leaders.

Haroon Bukhari, a PML-Q former minister, and now an independent candidate for PP-258 bypoll, said the visit was meant only for boosting campaign of the PPP candidate from the constituency, who happened to be a brother of PPP MNA Moazzam Jatoi. Bukhari plans to join the PML-N if he wins the contest.

A PPP MPA, requesting anonymity, said in spite of the party sweeping Feb 18 elections, no top leader visited the area, nor any federal or provincial ministry was given to any parliamentarian from the district.