In Rawalpindi, the newly returned Sharif brothers, broke the back of many established politicians by securing all NA and PA seats in the garrison city. DESIGN: EMA ANIS
ISLAMABAD:
The twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are all set to take centre stage on Election Day as major political parties set their sights on fielding winning candidates for the May 11 elections.
As the deadline to file nomination papers approaches, Rawalpindi, with three National Assembly (NA) and six provincial assembly (PA) seats, and Islamabad with two NA seats, are the focus of attention for all major political parties.
In 2008, the twin cities were swept by the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) as it bagged both the seats for the federal capital, NA-48 and NA-49. In Rawalpindi, the newly returned Sharif brothers, broke the back of many established politicians by securing all NA and PA seats in the garrison city.
However, despite a clean sweep last time, the PML-N apparently seems undecided on which candidates to field in at least two constituencies, NA-48 and NA-55. The decision on awarding tickets to candidates from these two key constituencies is likely to be taken by Friday. Talking to The Express Tribune, a PML-N representative has said that another source of worry for the party is the seat adjustment deal between PTI and Sheikh Rashid Ahmad in Rawalpindi. With the PTI supporting Rashid in NA-55, and Rashid extending all-out help to PTI chief Imran Khan in NA-56 against PML-N’s Hanif Abbasi.
The source in PML-N also said that Rashid has stirred such passions in the party that at one point even Shahbaz Sharif considered running on NA-55, but due to intra-party opposition the idea was dropped with the possibility of the younger scion of the Sharif family, Hamza Shahbaz, still open. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), on the other hand, looks to be facing a daunting task in the twin cities, with its only hope in Rawalpindi resting on the shoulders of former chairman of Baitul Maal, Zamarud Khan.
Zamarud Khan will contest elections from NA-54, a constituency he won in the 2002 elections. Challenging him will be PML-N’s Malik Abrar and JI’s Rizwan Ahmad. To shore up its chances on the one seat, it is likely to win, the PPP has secured PML-Q backing in NA-54. PPP’s Amir Fida Piracha, a strong candidate, is not ready to contest elections on the crucial NA-55 seat this time around, citing differences with his party leadership.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 29th, 2013.
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