ISLAMABAD: While most of the aspirants are still undecided about the slots they want to contest elections for, PML-N stalwart Zafar Ali Shah openly claims that his target is to become the first mayor of Islamabad.

The local government elections in Islamabad are scheduled to be held on November 30. The chairmen of the union councils can contest for the slot of the mayor.

Mr Shah is contesting the elections for the post of chairman UC-30 (G-7) and has even launched an election campaign.

Talking to Dawn, he acknowledged that his main intention was to rise above all in the LG setup of Islamabad.

“My target is not the UC chairmanship but to become the mayor,” said the former parliamentarian of the ruling party.

Despite strong presence of Pakistan Tehreek –i-Insaaf in the urban areas of Islamabad, Mr Shah feels comfortable making through the first phase. “Zafar Ali Shah is a respected figure because he was never involved in any scandal or controversy,” said Ajmal Baloch, a leader of Islamabad’s traders’ community and a PML-N worker.

Meanwhile, PML-N workers also said despite internal rifts in the party and dislike for Mr Shah by the local leadership, he would have the backing of the top party leadership.

“The father figure-like personality of Shah saheb fits to be the mayor of the city as opposed to the new brand of leaders,” said a PML-N worker who did not want to be named.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play