From dairy to tehsil seat: Youngest councillor in LG elections

23-year-old Asif Ali was nominated by elders and surprised himself with a win

BUNER: Asif Ali, a 23-year-old from Kangalai village in Khadukhel region of Buner is the youngest councillor elected in the local government elections held on May 30.

Ali, busy with his dairy farm, was surprised by the elders of his village, especially those associated with Awami National Party, when they fielded him for tehsil councillor’s seat. His candidature was welcomed by people from all over the area on the grounds of his family’s popularity and credibility.

Ali’s father, Muhammad Haroon, serves in a government department and most of his relatives earn their livelihood through farming and agriculture.

Not a first choice

“I was not quite interested in politics and elections but was unable to dishonour the elders by ignoring their directives.” And so Ali filed his nomination papers for the tehsil council seat with a ticket from ANP.

Even though he was more interested in his dairy farm and his business, Ali emerged victorious, defeating his rival from Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz; but only by a slight margin.

Ali was, however, ecstatic with his success. After the election results, he announced his priority would be the education sector.

“The literacy rate in Buner is extremely low. We still need more schools and more teachers,” he said. It is highly likely Ali will get the office of naib nazim in Khadukhel as his party holds a majority.

Born on January 19, 1992, Asif Ali completed his Secondary School Certificate exams but then chose the farming route. He established a dairy farm in his village, which is situated en route to Mohaban mountain range.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 25^th, 2015.