District nazim polls: PML-N, PTI face-off today

ABBOTTABAD: PTI and PML-N have fielded their candidates for the election of Nazim and Naib Nazim for Abbottabad district is scheduled to be held on April 5 (today) at District Council Hall.

PTI has nominated Ali Khan Jadoon son of Amanullah Khan Jadoon, for District  Nazim and  Sardar Waqar Nabi will be contesting for the seat of  District Naib Nazim. While PML-N  has fielded Siddique Qureshi for Nazim and Naheed Awan for Naib Nazim.

Hectic efforts are underway at Abbottabad and at Bani Gala where final meetings of both rival groups are being held to chalk out strategy for the election as PTI claims support of 45 members in the house of 77 while PML-N with 32 seats is hopeful to probably give upset result according to one side.



PTI elected and like minded councillors attended detailed briefing session on Tuesday at Bani Gala, which was chaired by  Party head Imran Khan himself.as per reports reaching here with elected MNA’s and MPA’s from Abbottabad including K-P ministers all in attendance.

On the other side  PML-N members remained busy in their own huddle at local office where Sardar Shamoon Khan presided a meeting.  Shamoon is son of former governor Sardar Mahtab Khan.

PTI while keeping a majority strength of 45 members has pitched a strong stalwart Ali Khan Jadoon who is son of ex-federal minister Ammanullah Khan Jadoon.

On other side, PML-N withdrew the name of Shamoon.



It should be noted that District Nazim and Naib Nazim Sardar Sher Bahadur and Shoukat Tanoli were de-seated under defection clause after a long battle in the courts, (Election Commission, High Court and later at Supreme court) taking two and half-years time ending with the disqualification of three members inducing Nazim and Naib Nazim. Election on the three seats were held and PTI out of three seats got two seats and election officer fixed 5th April to complete the house.

Ali Khan Jadoon who is elder son of former federal minister Amanullah Khan Jadoon was nominee of PTI in early election and had contested election against Sardar Sher Bahadar who with the support of PML-N members defeated Ali Khan Jadoon then and PTI consequently suspended the membership of Sardar Sher Bahadur au who also remained the president of PTI Abbottabad district for violating the party rules.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 5^th, 2018.