SIALKOT, Sept 18: A dispute in the family of Narowal district Nazim has weakened the PML-QA’s position in the national assembly constituency NA-117.

The PML-QA awarded ticket to Riffat Javed, the wife of district Nazim Col Javed Safdar Kahloon (retired). Col Javed’s close relative Chaudhry Usman Zia was also trying to get the party ticket. On failing to get a ticket, he submitted his nomination papers as an independent candidate.

Col Javed is being criticized by the local party leadership for failing to resolve the differences in his family.

However, the PML-QA is facing stiff challenge in the constituency as there are some known political figures contesting elections. Of them, PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal, former chief coordinator of Nawaz Sharif’s 2010-Programme; PPP’s Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, IJI ex-MNA who changed his loyalties, are more prominent. PAT’s Abdul Qayyum Khan and another independent candidate Shahid Zia also in the run in the constituency.

The Narowal city had been a PML-N stronghold. Now, the votes of the Muslim League factions will be divided. This situation is likely to benefit PPP candidate Anwarul Haq. However, close fight is expected among the three candidates.

Meanwhile, the PML-N, the PAT and the PPP accused the Nazim of using all the state resources for campaigning for his wife which was a violation of the Election Commission’s code of conduct.

TRAINING: The training of polling staff started on Wednesday. The training will conclude on October 7.

There will be 1,338 polling stations for Sialkot district’s five national and 11 provincial assembly seats.