District council elections: Tug of war dents PML-N’s unity

The party might lose seats in three district councils due to internal rifts

LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has been facing disarray and infighting on district council seats in Punjab. Besides dealing with internal and external pressure, the local leaders have refused to accept the party’s decision as some were denied party tickets for chairmanship of the district councils.

The PML-N officials told The Express Tribune the other day that there were 35 district councils in Punjab and of them, PML-N candidates were competing on 13 seats for the post of district council chairman.

However, of those 13 seats, the ruling party is likely to face competition on seven seats from those PML-N candidates who refused to accept party decisions and might take part in elections as independent candidate.  The party managed to fix internal disputes among party leaders for Faisalabad district council.



In eight districts, including Khushab, Bhakar, Sheikhupura, Mandi Bahauddin , Chiniot, Toba Tek Singh and Rajanpur, the PML-N leaders have submitted their nomination papers as independent candidates as the party refused to issue them the ticket. On the other hand, in Attock, Mianwali, Pakpattan, Rahim Yar Khan and Kasur, the PML-N candidates are facing a tough competition from opposition parties like Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Pakistan Muslim League Quaid–e-Azam and Pakistan Peoples’ Party.

Meanwhile, PML-N officials, requesting anonymity, told The Express Tribune that the party might lose seats in Attock, Pakpattan and Rahim Yar Khan District Councils due to internal rifts.

MNA Hamza Shahbaz Shairf had earlier constituted a committee comprising of senior party leaders to settle intra-party disputes amongst the local leadership. A party veteran disclosed that committee members were trying to resolve disputes among the leaders of Tobah Tek Singh and Rajanpur Districts. However, the local leadership has refused to comment over the matter.

In a recent development, an influential PML-N MNA Mian Farooq’s son Qasim Farooq has decided to back out of the competition for chairmanship of Faisalabad District Council after instructions from top party leadership. MNA Mian Farooq had earlier tendered resignation from the party for not giving ticket to his son and for preferring Zahid Nazir for the slot.

When contacted, MNA Asim Nazir, who is the brother of Zahid Nazir and a candidate for Faisalabad District Council chairman, has expressed ignorance regarding the development and said that Qasim Farooq was acting against party decisions which might have become the reason to sideline him.

Though, party leaders managed to resolve internal rifts between local leadership of Chiniot and Faisalabad Districts, the PML-N was trying to resolve differences between candidates of Toba Tek Singh.

Insiders said there were bright chances that Masood Gadhi, who was issued party ticket for Toba Tek Singh District Council, might withdraw in favor of Fauzia Khalid Waraich. He said both leaders were summoned to Lahore for a meeting with party high-ups. The party had also tried to resolve dispute between Aziz Dirisik and Hasham Javeed Gorchani, candidates for chairman from Rajanpur District Council but to no avail.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st, 2016.