HYDERABAD, Oct 6: An interesting electoral contest is expected between the PPP and the PML-Q candidates in the newly-demarcated Qasimabad seat of NA-221.

The prospects for the People’s Party Parliamentarians contestant appear to be bright in the constituency, which has a mixed population.

NA-221 has two provincial assembly seats, PS-47 and PS-50. It was carved out of two older constituencies, namely NA-168 and NA- 169.

The constituency stretches from Kotri Bridge and enters some main city areas, parts of Latifabad unit 3 and 4, Hala Naka and then ends in the cantonment area. In the east it extends to Tandojam town on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

There are 11 candidates contesting for the National Assembly seat, including Syed Ameer Ali Shah Jamote (PPP), Shahabuddin Shah Hussaini (Pakistan Muslim League-Q), Badr-un-Nisa Qazi (PML-N), Shabbir Hussain Bajkani (Muttahida Qaumi Movement) and Maula Bukhsh Mashori (PPP-SB).

Notwithstanding the political clout of the PML-Q candidate, the PPP candidate enjoys a comfortable position.

However, the PML-Q candidate is taking the election very seriously — he is spending extravagantly on newspaper advertisements and hiring of vehicles for pre-poll activities — and is likely to give a tough fight to his opponent.

The nationalist forces, despite having boycotted the polls, are supporting like-minded candidates here.

PS-47 (QASIMABAD): There are 16 contestants from this newly-created provincial assembly seat, including Badruddin Channa (PML-Q), Dr Najeeb Ahmed Memon (SDA), Zahid Bhurgari (PPP), Shabbir Hussain Bajkani (Muttahida), Maula Bux Mashori (PPP-SB) and Mansoor Ahmed (PML-N).