BAHAWALNAGAR: While Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) candidates have relied on social media to reach the voters, other parties are holding door-to-door campaigns for the four NA and eight PA seats in the district.

The district’s four NA seats are: NA-160, NA-161, NA-162, and NA-163. Its eight PA seats are from PP-237 to PP-244.

NA-160: PP-237, PP-238

Although Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Saad Rizvi has entered the fray, a bitter contest is expected between PML-N’s Mian Abdul Ghaffar Wattoo (a defected PTI legislator) and independent candidate Syed Asghar Shah for NA-160. Although the PTI has given a ticket to Dr Noor Muhammad Ghaffari, a large majority of PTI voters may vote for Mr Shah, who sources claim may join the PTI if he wins.

In PP-237, PML-N’s Mian Fida Hussain and independent candidate Mian Rashid Malkuka are the main contenders. In PP 238, independent candidate Inam Bari Lalika, and Syed Nazar Mehmood of the PML-N will face each other. Mr Lalika, having support of the PTI, is ahead of his rival.

In the 2018 election, Mr Watto won NA-160, while his uncle Fida Hussain Watto won PP-237 and Shaukat Leleka PP-238 – all as independent candidates and later joined the PTI. There are also reports that the TLP chief may withdraw in favour of any candidate.

NA-161 - PP-239, PP-240

A thorny contest is expected between PML-N’s Alam Dad Lalika and PTI’s Shahid Amin Akoka for NA-161. Although Alam Dad Lalika won the last election with a huge majority, his continuous absence from the constituency and lack of interest in people’s problems have created many problems for him. Also, journalist and rights activist Imtiaz Alam is also a candidate from this constituency.

In PP 239, a close contest is expected between PTI’s Atif Matiana and PML-N’s Mumtaz Maharavi (who left the PTI through a press conference after the events of May 9).

From PP 240, PML-N’s Rana Abdul Rauf, independent candidate Sohail Khan and PTI’s Sheikh Owais Asghar are the main contenders.

NA-162 - PP-243, PP-244

PML-N’s Ehsanul Haq Bajwa, PTI’s Chaudhry Khalilur Rehman and Zia League’s Allah Dad Cheema are in the fray.

A close contest is expected between Khadija Khanum of PTI, Zahid Akram of PML-N and Kashif Sana of Zia League for PP 243 and for PP 244, the PTI-backed Suryia Sultana and PML-N’s Majeed Jatala are in the fray.

NA-163 - PP-241, PP-242

NA-163 will see a close contest between PML-N’s Noorul Hassan Tanvir, Zia League Chief Ijazul Haq and PTI leader Shaukat Basra’s brother Talat Basra. Mr Tanveer defeated Mr Haq in the 2018 elections, however, now he appears in troubles due to public’s anger towards the PML-N.

A tough fight is expected between PML-N’s Dr Mazhar, Zia League’s Chaudhry Ghulam Murtaza and PTI’s Chaudhry Azam in PP-241. Mr Murtaza can win the seat due to the development works carried out by Vital Group in Haroonabad city. In 2018, the PML-N won the seat because of the internal differences of the Vital Group.

In PP 242, Fort Abbas, PTI’s Kashif Naveed will face Zia League’s Nauman Javed, Kisan Ittehad’s Muhammad Arshad and PML-N’s Chaudhry Muzaffar Iqbal.

In 2018, Mr Arshad won the seat on PML-N’s ticket by defeating Zia League’s candidate. This time, the PML-N awarded the ticket to Mr Iqbal, due to which Mr Arshad is contesting election from Kisan Ittehad’s platform. The PML-N and the Zia League are trying to win the support of Mr Arshad.

The district administration has imposed an undeclared ban on PTI’s election campaign, and in case of campaigning, they are facing police raids, FIRs and other consequences. Due to this, almost all PTI-supported candidates and workers are underground and are forced to run their campaigns through telephone calls and social media.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2024