GUJRANWALA, March 30: After the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, buckling under its workers’ pressure, failed to create space for Hamid Nasir Chattha in NA 101, Wazirabad tehsil, under a seat-adjustment plan, the PML-Likeminded pitched his son in the constituency.

The change of plan was evident on Saturday when Chattha’s younger son Ahmad Nasir Chattha filed his nomination papers with Wazirabad returning officer.

The PML-N workers had refused their leadership’s decision of withdrawing the candidature of its former MNA, Justice (retired) Iftikhar Ahmad Cheema, to accommodate Mr Chattha. The PML-N workers had staged protests against the decision at Wazirabad, compelling party leadership to again award ticket to Mr Cheema.

PPP deceased chairperson Benazir Bhutto had also made seat adjustment arrangements with Mr Chattha on his request in 1997 election by withdrawing former state minister for defence (late) Col Ghulam Sarwar Cheema. However, defying the decision, late Cheema contested the election as an independent candidate from the constituency but was defeated.

Cheema also filed his nomination papers with the relevant returning officer at Wazirabad on Saturday.

The PML-Q has fielded a retired bureaucrat, Chaudhry Sajid Husain Chattha in NA 101 while the PPP nominated Wazirabad Bar Association former president and senior vice-president of party’s district chapter Chaudhry Ijaz Ahmad Cheema.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf nominated Adnan Sarwar Cheema, son of late Col Ghulam Sarwar Cheema, while Jamaat-i-Islami has fielded its former district president Obaidullah Gohar in the constituency.

The contest in the constituency in mainly between two dominant clans -- Chatthas and Cheemas.

JI PROTEST: Jamaat-i-Islami workers blocked GT Road and staged a sit-in at Rawalpindi bypass intersection in protest against police failure to arrest those involved in firing on the party’s district president and an aspirant for NA 98 in Qila Dedar Singh.

The protesters led by JI Punjab naib amir Hafiz Hameedudin Awan, an aspirant for NA 96, gathered at the intersection and staged a sit-in, throwing traffic out of gear for two hours.

They chanted slogans against the police and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.

They protesters dispersed after city Assistant Commissioner Syed Salahuddin assured them that the accused would be arrested soon.

Qila Dedar Singh police had registered a case against seven nominated and three unknown accused for attacking the JI leader.

Meanwhile, JI central leader Liaqat Baloch visited the local DHQ Hospital and inquired after injured party leader Qudratullah Butt. He condemned the incident and demanded that culprits be arrested soon.

Editorial

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