ATTOCK, Feb 25: The sudden entry of the PPP's provincial defence minister, Sardar Saleem Haider, into the contest for the NA-57 seat has shaken up his opponents in the Attock-I district and stirred up old rivalries within the PPP itself.

A few days ago, PPP leader Dr Naeem Awan released a statement to the media, confirming that Haider will defend his original seat in NA-59 Attock-III, and also run in NA-57 Attock-I, which covers the Attock and Hazro tehsils.

“Mr Haider's first public meeting," held on Friday in Hameed village, "received a strong response," Dr Awan said. "He will make this race much more challenging for his opponents."

Before Haider's entry, the contest for NA-57 had been between Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, an MNA from the PML-N; Malik Amin Aslam, a former state minister from the PTI; and Major (retired) Sardar Sadik Khan, a former district nazim from the Major group.

Sources within the PPP suggest that Haider's entry "will mobilize and strengthen PPP Jiyalas and buck up their morale. They had been disappointed about not having a strong candidate to field in this constituency."

They acknowledged, however, that Haider will face an uphill climb.

Having devoted the last five years to NA-59, he is unknown to voters in NA-57, while his three rivals already have strong contacts. NA-59, Haider's old constituency, is considered the only one in Attock with a strong base of PPP support.

The NA-57 district comprises two provincial assembly seats, PP-15 and PP-16, and Dr Naeem Awan, who is contesting the latter seat, has expressed support for Mr Haider's entry into the race. PP-15, however, is represented by the PPP's Malik Shahan Khan, who is defending his seat this year, and with whom analysts say Haider has an "old, hidden feud."

"A lack of coordination and support among candidates in this constituency could harm the PPP, in the end," analysts predicted.

Haider has, however, already begun campaigning for the seat, holding public meetings and initiating contact with local political bodies.

He had already begun campaigning to defend his NA-59 seat, which he won in 2008 after defeating candidates from the PML-Q and PML-N. In December, Haider invited the Prime Minister to address a gathering in Fatehjang, hoping to muster up votes for the PPP.