LOWER DIR: A neck and neck contest is expected among Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-backed Syed Mahboob Shah, Jamaat-i-Islami’s Maulana Dr Mohammad Ismail and Awami National Party’s Zahid Khan in NA-7, Lower Dir-I.

Pakistan Peoples Party’s Alam Zeb, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl’s Sirajuddin and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Yasir Khan are also in the running, but according to political analysts, the actual contest would be among the PTI, JI and ANP hopefuls.

PTI’s Mahboob Shah had won the seat, then NA-6, in 2018 elections.

According to ECP, the number of total registered voters in NA-7 is 413,777, including 185,940 women, for whom, 307 polling stations, 96 for men, 92 for women, and 119 combined, have been set up.

Rabita Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam candidate Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan and PTI disgruntled activist Mohammad Inam Khan have withdrawn in favour of PTI nominee Mahboob Shah, who is considered the most powerful contender.

Pakistan Rah-i-Haq Party (PRHP) candidate Maulana Ubaidullah Anwar on Tuesday announced to withdraw from the face in support JI nominees for NA-7 Maulana Ismail and PK-15 Azizullah Khan.

He made the announcement during a news conference in Chakdara.

The position of Maulana Ismail has strengthened after the withdrawal of Mr Anwar.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Anwar said both JI and PRHP had similar ideologies and struggled to defend the finality of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He said the JI lawmakers would not disappoint the PRHP workers in the parliament.

Mr Anwar said JI had withdrawn its candidate from PK-81 in favour of PRHP chief Ibrahim Qasami, and in return, he had withdrawn in favour of JI candidates.

To find your constituency and location of your polling booth, SMS your NIC number (no spaces) to 8300. Once you know your constituency, visit the ECP website here for candidates.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2024