GUJRANWALA, Oct 4: The split of the PML-QA and the PPP votes in the National Assembly constituency NA-95 will benefit the PML-N candidate.
The PML-QA fielded Haji Imranullah, the son of PPP former federal minister Haji Amanullah and brother of city tehsil Naib Nazim Ehsanullah, while the PPP brought forward Advocate Imranullah, the son of noted educationist Inayatullah of Khiali. They both are Arain by caste. The PML-N nominated four-time MPA and former minister for education Barrister Usman Ibrahim. As they are Arain, there is all likelihood that their votes will split to the advantage of the barrister.
In the present scenario, Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal candidate Maulana Ayub Safdar and Pakistan Tehrik Insaaf’s Khalid Zafar Sansi are not in a position to give tough time to the PML-QA, the PPP and the PML-N.
Meanwhile, the campaign of Barrister Usman is gaining momentum. An Ansari by caste, he has the support of his own and other caste people. He worked for the uplift of his constituency without any prejudice which gave him extra points. Imranullah of the PML-QA seems to have lost his ground after defecting the PPP.
Maulana Ayub has the backing of religious-minded people while Pakistan Tehrik Insaaf’s Zafar Sansi is a Jat and seeking the support of his clan. Except Barrister Usman, all others are new faces.
NA-96 is the other important constituency comprising the city areas. The PML-N has fielded Engineer Khurram Dastgir, the son of four-time MNA and former minister Ghulam Dastgir. The PPP allotted ticket to Khwaja Saleh who has the support of former general secretary and minister Ahmad Mukhtar despite opposition by the party’s city organization. Khurram and Saleh are Kashmiris and are related to each other.
The PML-QA nominated Ms Robina Salim, the wife of former MPA Mehr Muhammad Salim, who was ousted due to the graduation bar. Noted religious leader Maulana Qazi Hamidullah of the MMA has the backing of business community. The Pakistan Tehrik Insaaf’s Muhammad Nazir and National Alliance’s Khurshid Ahmad Sodhi besides Advocate Mian Masood, Ghulam Qadir Khan and Tanvir Ahmad Cheema are also in the run. But close fight is expected between the PML-N, the MMA, the PPP and the PML-QA.