Independents canvassing as PTI workers in Ward 10

Both claim to be ‘lifelong’ party activists

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf has fielded Mian Akhter Ali in the election for Ward 10 in the Lahore Cantonment Board. However, two independent candidates are also claiming affiliation with the party in their campaign for the councilor’s office in the ward. 

Faheem Ahmed Khan, who is contesting the election with the symbol of refrigerator, says he has been a PTI worker from quite some time. He says he was not awarded a ticket by the party so he is participating in the election as an independent candidate.

Arif Ismail is the other independent candidate in the ward who is claiming affiliation with the PTI. He is contesting the election with the symbol of a tricycle.

Ismail claims to be a ‘life long’ PTI activist. He refuses to comment on his decision to contest the election against a candidate nominated by the party.

Muhammad Usman, a supporter of Arif Ismail, says residents in his area see Ismail as the real representative of the party. He says Ismail had single-handedly managed the party electoral campaign in the area during 2013 general elections.

Muhammad Junaid, a resident of Spaanwala Bazaar and a supporter of Faheem Ahmed, says residents in his area see Ahmed as the representative of PTI.

Another independent candidate, Rana Ghazanfar, has recently stood down in favour of PTI candidate Mian Akhtar Ali, who is a nephew of PML-N’s candidate Mian Khalid Ahmed.

Meanwhile, PTI information secretary Farrukh Javed says the party has awarded its ticket to Mian Akhtar. PTI Lahore President Abdul Aleem Khan was not available for comment.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23^rd, 2015.