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When Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf won in May 2013, their convincing sweep dislodged established political strongholds across the province – except Charsadda. The politically seasoned district of Charsadda remained unconquered by the newcomers.
With only PK-22, Charsadda-VI in hand, the party’s footprint in the district is still humble despite attempts.
PTI was set to lay siege right before the local government polls as its chairman Imran Khan was scheduled to arrive on May 26. His visit—which was called off after the election commission took note of conduct irregularities by the party—was expected to help PTI breakthrough the ranks of nationalists and democrats who have dominated Charsadda for decades.
PTI’s internal rifts have only worsened matters. Several of the party’s senior leaders have announced their own panels, parallel to the party’s ticketed candidates.
MPA Muhammad Arif is certainly not happy over the cancellation of Imran’s visit. Arif told The Express Tribune PTI has only failed to make its mark in Tangi. “Had the chairperson visited, we could have sealed the deal and easily formed our district government,” he said.
The party faces a dual threat in shape of the tripartite alliance of Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl and Pakistan Peoples Party as well as Qaumi Watan Party.
Although originally the birthplace of progressive nationalist politics, over the years Charsadda has seen its gladiators fall one after the other. In the 2013 general elections, ANP was wiped out of Charsadda while JUI-F saved face with a seat each in the national and provincial legislatures. The newly-rebranded QWP turned out to be the dark horse and won one National Assembly seat and four Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly seats.
While all other parties are eyeing the district and three tehsil set-ups of Charsadda, JUI-F is largely unenthusiastic about poll prospects given the rift between its district ameer and lawmakers is still unresolved.
Stronghold
In a bid to boost his party’s otherwise lukewarm prospects, Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Sirajul Haq visited Shabqadar on May 5.
Sherpao also paid a visit to the city, soon after one of the many attempts on his life on April 30.
“Sherpao is a courageous leader and chooses to remain with his people instead of hiding in safe houses,” said QWP former MPA Babar Ali Khan, speaking of his party’s potential success in the May 30 polls. Babar said the party has diverted all its resources towards Tangi and Shabqadar tehsils where, he has every reason to believe, QWP will do well.
On the other hand, ANP provincial general secretary and Wali Khan scion, Aimal Wali Khan has also been frequenting Shabqadar to convince leaders to cast differences aside and is abreast with the party’s preps.
ANP-Wali, on the other hand, has only been able to support its candidates who are standing as independents. ANP-W cannot field candidates as it has not registered with the ECP as yet.
So what really makes this citadel of Pukhtun politics so significant for all parties?
Local journalist Ahmad Ali Khan is of the view that being the hometown of stalwarts like Bacha Khan and Hayat Khan Sherpao, Charsadda influences election trends across the province. Success in the district has a ripple effect in K-P, he maintained.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 24th, 2015.
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