FAISALABAD, March 7: Lack of interest of women in the forthcoming by-election to the vacant seats of councillors is a cause for worry for political parties. It is learnt that the PPP, the PML-N, the PML-Q and the MMA have been looking for women candidates for general and labour councillors.

The main reason for the lack of interest of women is said to be the financial aspect as the councillors are not paid any honorarium. It may be remembered that 213 seats of women councillors are lying vacant in Faisalabad, Jhang and Toba Tek Singh districts.

Meanwhile, election campaign is gaining momentum as a number of political heavyweights have jumped into the field. PML-N former MNA Chaudhry Sher Ali, deputy opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly Rana Sanaullah Khan and MPAs Malik Nawaz and Ijaz Ahmad formed a special committee to pick 'strong' candidates for urban areas of Samundri, Chak Jhumra, Jaranwala, Tandliawnala and Saddar tehsils.

Likewise, the leaders of PPP (Parliamentarians) constituted a four-member election committee comprising MPAs Dr Asad Moazzam and Riaz Shahid, former MPAs Raja Safdar and Mahmoodul Hasan Dar. The committee would nominate candidates in consultation with the district and tehsil organizations.

The local Jamaat-i-Islami leadership is facing great hardship in nomination of candidates as it has to consult the MMA component parties. The Jamaat is also reportedly disturbed over the attitude of aspiring candidates.

The PML-Q is said to be the 'best placed' teams as aspirants are running from pillar to post to get a party ticket. Meanwhile, 129 candidates have so far filed nomination papers. Of 511 vacant posts, 242 are in Faisalabad district, 210 in Jhang and 59 in Toba Tek Singh.