PML-N vies for 4th win in NA-121

Smog adds to civic problems of Lahore constituency

LAHORE:

The PML-N is striving to retain the National Assembly seat NA-121 from Lahore for the fourth consecutive time in the coming general elections.

The PPP and JI had also won elections from the constituency earlier.

Sheikh Rohail Asghar is the PML-N candidate again after winning the previous three elections held since 2008. Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan of the PPP had won in 2002.

A total of 15 candidates are in the run to represent the constituency, including former MPA Waseem Qadir, supported by the PTI, PPP candidate Iftikhar Shahid, JI’s Amir Siddiqui, TLP’s Yusuf Rizvi and Usman Ashraf of MQM.

The voters in the constituency complain of facing the problems of crimes, sewage, gas, electricity, unapproved housing societies, dilapidated roads, poor sanitation system, non-supply of clean drinking water and health facilities.

There is no major government hospital for complex diseases in this constituency.

NA-121 includes Punjab Assembly constituencies PP-149, PP-152, PP-153 and PP 154.

The total population of the constituency is more than 926,000, including over 462,000 voters. The number of male voters is 247,571 and female 219,441.

According to the Election Commission, 299 polling stations will be set up in the constituency with 866 polling booths, of which 468 will be for male and 398 for female voters.

From PP-149 Lahore-5, former provincial minister Abdul Aleem Khan has entered the fray under a seat adjustment between PML-N and the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party.

A total of 37 candidates including PTI-backed Hafiz Zeeshan, PPP’s Mirza Idris, JI’s Usman Afzal, TLP’s Abdul Razzaq, Markazi Muslim League’s Shaiman Butt, JUI’s Usman Ahmed and Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s Habiba Hina are contesting for the provincial assembly seat.

From PP-152, 27 candidates are contesting, including Malik Muhammad Waheed PML-N, Nauman Majeed backed by PTI and Ahmad Hasis Shahid of PPP.

From PP-153, former provincial minister Khawaja Salman Rafique is PML-N is among 26 candidates, including the PTI-backed Mian Owais Anjum and Muhammad Zaid of JI.

A total of 29 candidates are in the run from PP-154, including PML-N’s Malik Ghulam Habib, PTI-backed Shakeel Sindhu and PPP’s Sufyan Khalid Ghurki.

The major communities residing in the National Assembly constituency are Arain, Rajput, Gujjar and Jatt.

Fayaz Park, Mohalla Amritsari, Railway Quarters Mughalpura, Sarai Kashi Ram, Mujahidabad, Ramgarh, Sohwari, Mohammadia Ghousia Colony, Lakho Der, Aamir Town, Nai Abadi Harbanspura, Rashidpura, Dargahwala, Shalimar Housing Scheme, Salamatpura, Fatehgarh, Hamidpura, Meher Fayaz Colony, Karim Nagar, Salamatpura, Gulistan Colony, Faridiya Mohalla, Hussainpura, Sarai Mian Isa and Main Bazaar Ghaziabad are included in the constituency.

NA-121 has long been considered a stronghold of PML-N.

Among the problems being faced by the residents of the area is smog. The constituency is spread on both sides of the Ring Road with a large number of oil mills.

They also complain of inadequate health facilities, encroachments and traffic jams.

Rainfall turns the streets of Amir Town, Harbanspura, Nai Abadi, Iftikhar Park, Canal Bank, Salamatpura and other areas into ponds for several days.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2024.