UPPER DIR: The Pakistan Peoples Party, Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf have locked horns for the National Assembly seat of NA-5 as the election campaign entered its last phase on Sunday.

Though a total of 10 candidates among them two independents are in the running for the NA seat, the real battle is expected among the PPP’s Najamuddin Khan, MMA’s Sahibzada Tariqullah, and PTI’s Sahibzada Sibghatullah, who is cousin of Tariqullah. MPL-N’s Nisar Khan Wardag may clinch the fourth position, according to political observers.

It is to mention here that PPP and JI have been the archrivals in the NA constituency, and most of the contests have been won by the JI. However, this time situation is totally different for MMA’s Tariqullah as he is facing an uphill task to win the polls, particularly after his cousin, Sibghatullah, quit the JI and joined the PTI. A majority of workers of JI are likely to vote for Sibghatullah.

Moreover, exclusion of Lower Dir’s three union councils -- Khal, Shalpalam and Toormang from NA-5, has also created problems for the MMA’s nominee because these areas had always been stronghold of the JI from where its candidates took a decisive lead of 4,000 to 5,000 votes. The famous Sahibzada family’s most members are also favouring Sibghatullah.

On the other hand, PPP’s Najamuddin is benefitting from the rift in the Sahibzada family and exclusion of three UCs from NA-5 because he was beaten in the previous elections because of the results from these areas.

Secondly, Najamuddin has also succeeded in ending internal differences among party workers and leaders, who are now running his election campaign. Najamuddin had won then NA-33, Upper Dir, in 2008 elections on PPP Ticket.

Political pundits say since political heavyweights of the district are in the fray the NA-5 would witness the closest contest. They say that PPP and MMA are strong contenders for the seat. They say the party which succeeds in getting more number of women to the polling stations would emerge winner.

In the PK-12 constituency, MMA candidate Inayatullah Khan is considered a strong candidate to win the election, but PPP’s Najamuddin can also stage an upset.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2018