PML-N candidate Malik Shehryar Awan
“Our rivals are trying to exploit the feelings of the citizens in the name of religion,” Mr Iqbal, who is the special assistant to chief minister, told Dawn.
“Hafiz Ammar Yasir supports extremist elements and he is all out to exploit the feelings of the people by levelling incendiary allegations against us,” he added.
In reply to a question, Mr Iqbal said he did not use public resources in the election campaign. “I have not used my official vehicle nor made any public speech in any political gathering. But I admit that I am asking people to vote for the PML-N as my grandson is taking part in the election,” he maintained.
Refuting the allegations levelled by Mr Iqbal and Mr Shehryar, Hafiz Ammar Yasir said he and Sultan Surkhru had nothing to do with the pamphlets. “Yes I do have my point of view on certain issues but I never use foul means against my opponents.”
Returning Officer Shakeel Ahmed told Dawn that he had received an application from Malik Shehryar.
Though eight candidates are participating in the elections, the actual battle is going to be fought between the PML-N and the PTI which is also being supported by the PML-Q, Jamaat-i-Islami and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek.
PML-Q holds a considerable sway in the area as during the tenure of former chief minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, a number of development projects were launched in the area.
The PML-Q local leader Hafiz Ammar Yasir has managed to retain the party’s influence in the area. The party won the municipalities of Talagang and Lawa in the last local government elections besides winning five union councils.
The constituency remained a stronghold of the PML-N as its leader Malik Saleem Iqbal won for five consecutive times.
The party lost the constituency in 2002 when Mr Surkhru defeated his rivals as an independent candidate. The seat fell vacant in February due the death of Malik Zahoor Anwar Awan of the PML-N. His nephew Malik Shehryar Awan is a candidate now.
Around 57 polling stations have been declared sensitive. There are 258,079 registered voters in the constituency.
Rangers and army have been called in to maintain peace during the election. A public holiday has been declared in the constituency.
Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2017