MUZAFFARGARH: Layyah district is set to witness a traditional political showdown in the upcoming February elections, with contenders emerging from the three major political parties: Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

The district, known for its two national (NA-181 and NA-182) and five provincial assembly (PP 279 to 283) seats, features strong candidates from each political spectrum.

PML-N’s ticket seekers for NA-181 include Sahibzada Faizul Hasan and Sahibzada Mehboobul Hasan, while Syed Saqlain Bukhari is the candidate for NA-182. For PP-279, Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh, Chaudhry Niaz Gujjar, and Ghulam Rasool Jat have applied for PML-N tickets.

PP-280 sees only two candidates, Malik Abdul Shakoor Swag and Rai Safdar Abbas Bhatti, submitting their nomination ticket fees. The PML-N contenders from PP-281 are Lala Tahir Randhawa, Basharat Randhawa, Malik Riaz Gurwan, and Safdar Iqbal Dhol.

Meanwhile, PP-282 has candidates Abid Anwar Alvi, Maher Ijaz Achalana, Osama Asghar Gujjar, Maher Tufail Lohanch, and Seth Mohammad Aslam emerging for PML-N tickets.

Additionally, Meher Ejaz Achlana has applied for a ticket from PP-283, with a list of 17 candidates released for seven constituencies.

The PTI, despite facing a police crackdown, boasts former parliamentarians in hiding, considered strong contenders for seat retention due to public support. Former MNA Majeed Khan Niazi and ex-MNA Malik Niaz Jakhar are PTI candidates for NA-181 and NA-182, respectively.

The PPP has former federal minister Sardar Bahadur Sehar representing NA-181, with potential candidates for NA-182 yet to be released. Former MPA and ex-PTI district president Iftikhar Khetran may run as an independent candidate, and Malik Ramzan Bhular is expected to be the PPP candidate.

Yasser Arafat from Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party will run for PP-279, and former provincial minister Shahabuddin Sehar is anticipated as a PTI candidate for PP-280, while Riaz Hussain Samtia will run for the PPP.

PML-N Divisional President Ejaz Ahmed Achalana said he predicts a clean sweep in Layyah district, ruling out alliances or seat adjustments with other parties. He asserts that Layyah residents will overwhelmingly support PML-N, ensuring victory in all NA and PA seats.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2023