‘I solemnly swear’

Candidates contesting Cantonment polls share plans for their constituencies ahead of the elections on April 25.

Walton cantonment Ward 1: I will be more accessible: PTI candidate

Muhammad Ehsan Mehmood Butt, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) candidate for Walton Cantonment Board Ward 1 seat, says he will address the issue of lack of a burial ground for the residents of Sultan Park, Gulbahar Colony and Madina Colony. “The people want representatives who are available to them round the clock, not just once a year,” he says.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Ashfaq Ahmed says there are no major problems plaguing the areas in his ward. “This election will empower the people,” he says.

Yasin Sohal, the provincial assembly member from the area, is campaigning for Ahmed. He says the people will support the PML-N in the local elections as they did in the 2013 general elections. Ten candidates are battling it out for the seat. Seven of the candidates are independents and one each is from the PTI, the PML-N and the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI). There are 28,000 voters in the ward: 15,000 male and 13,000 female.

Lahore Cantonment WARD 1: Candidate says down with corruption

For Muhammad Ali Khan, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s candidate in Ward 1 of Lahore Cantonment Board, setting up public schools, health centres and street lights in the constituency are a priority. “Our party believes in eliminating corruption. I will work hard at my end to make sure there is no corruption in my constituency and that people’s problems are solved on priority.”

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s candidate Sheikh Shahid says he has already started working on a plan to set up two water filtration plants in the area. He says the Board will expand the girls’ primary school in the area and look to repair worn out roads in the constituency.

Mian Nadeem, an independent candidate, says since is he not affiliated with a political party, he is free to solve all longstanding problems without pressure from any side.

Ward 1 comprises Dharampura Phatak, Ghousia Colony, Saddar Depot, Shoter Mohalla, Bakar Mohalla, Chalaar, Purana Dharampura, Karachi Mohalla and Old Officers’ Colony.

Walton cantonment ward 2: Potable water, dispensaries promised

Malik Tahir Mahmood, the candidate from Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), says his election as councillor will help address the long-standing issue of installing water filtration plants in the ward. Mahmood says he will ensure that public dispensaries are set up in the ward.

“There is a large lower middle class population here. Providing them basic amenities is a great challenge,” he says.

Candidates say they were not allowed to campaign in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) that has a vote bank of around 2,000. Political activity thus remained largely concentrated in Nishat and Mariam Colonies and Isa Nagar.

“People there [the DHA] have no pressing issues as such. People in the other localities have been neglected for long,” says Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate Muhammad Hanif. He says he will ensure provision of clean drinking water, better sewage system and linking of Nishat Colony Main Bazaar to Bedian Road.

Hanif says he has already helped establish disposal pumps for sewers and repair of water supply lines.

“People voted for us [in general elections] for a reason. We live among them, we know them and we address their issues.”

An activist ties flags of his political party above a pole plastered with posters of various candidates contesting polls in Sadar Bazaar, Cantt. PHOTO: ABID NAWAZ/EXPRESS

Walton Cantonment ward 5: ‘We will bring area under one authority’

Robson Gill Tabassum, Pakistan Peoples Party’s candidate from Ward 5 of the Walton Board, says his top priority will be to work on getting the Cantonment Board to formally recognise those areas in Ward 5 which don’t directly fall under the board’s jurisdiction.

“I live in Peter Gill Colony which has been added to the ward only for election purposes…several other localities have the same issue. If we can get the Cantonment Board to recognise these residential areas as their responsibility, we can work to do some good here,” he says.  Other than that, Tabassum says he wants to look into providing proper schools, health centres and water filtration plants in his constituency.

“We have been plagued with these issues mainly because residents of these have no direct contact with the government…having a local body here will definitely improve life for residents of Ward 5,” he says.

The candidate fielded by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf promises the same. “Whenever there’s a problem and residents approach the city government, they are directed towards the Cantonment Board which refers them back to the city government,” he says. There should be one authority responsible for the welfare of the people, “I have a team of activists ready to fight for the issue,” he says. Other issues of concern include installing a water filtration plant in the area.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate Muhammad Akram Sohail refused to discuss his plans for constituency.

Lahore Cantonment Board: Water filtration plants first: candidates

Rashid Sahotra, Pakistan Peoples Party’s candidate from Lahore Cantt’s Ward 9, says the first project he will undertake after winning the election would be to establish a water filtration plant in as many localities in the constituency as possible.

“I will make sure that all residents of my constituency have access to free safe drinking water,” he says.  Other items on his agenda include the improvement of school infrastructure and renovation of the sewerage system in the constituency. “Sewerage pipes in this area have not been replaced or cleaned for decades,” he says.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate, NaeemShahzadBhatti, agrees that a worn out sewerage system and lack of safe drinking water are the most pressing issues in the constituency. “The PML-N has always delivered on its promises and residents know that we promptly address their issues,” he says. Bhatti has been holding massive corner meetings over the last few days.

Bilal AslamBhatti, an independent candidate, says he is aware of all the problems in the constituency. “My family is well respected because we have been serving the community for the last three decades.” He says he also has the support of the Christian community residing in Gohawa. “If I win the election, I will make sure that no pressing problem is left unaddressed.”  Other candidates contesting from Ward 9 are NazakatBhatti of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Rao Bashir, TahirJavedMeo and IlyasMeo.  Ward 9 of the Lahore Cantt has 12,317 registered voters. ShabbirBhatti, a prominent resident of the area, tells The Express Tribune that apart from party affiliations, biridariwill play an important role in determining who wins the election. He says almost 40 per cent of Ward 9 voters are Christians. Other than that, Meo, Bhatti and Juttbiradaris are most prominent in the area.

Walton Cantonment ward 9: Promises to tackle electricity wires

Shaikh Basharat, the candidate fielded by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, says the provincial government has ignored residents of Ward 9, but he will make sure that dispensaries are constructed in the area.

Among Basharat’s priorities are to provide water filtration plants evolve a plan to deal with electricity wires low-hanging in some of the residential areas of Ward 9.

Yaqoob Maan, Jamaat-i-Islami’s candidate, says there is a plethora of issues the residents of Ward 9 have to deal with. “If I win, I plan to visit every household in the constituency at least once a week and listen to their problems…I will take note of all of them and try my best to solve them on priority.” Maan says provision of play grounds, a proper sewerage system and water filtration plants are his priority.

Chaudhry Munir Hussain, the candidate fielded by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, says he will take up the problem of dangerous low-hanging wires in the streets head on. He says the PML-N had previously tried to solve the problem of gas load-shedding in the area by raising gas supply pipes, but since there was no gas, those efforts were futile.

A total of 28,000 voters are registered in the constituency and 13 candidates will contest the Cantonment polls.

Lahore Cantonment ward 10: ‘We will improve the sewerage system’

“If have the power, I will spend a major chunk of development funds on improving the sewage system in this area,” says PTI candidate Ilyas Bhatti.

“There are disparities in this ward. Half of its population, residing in the Defence Housing Authority, has a high standard of living. The rest do not.”

Pakistan Peoples Party’s Zahid Anjum says he will construct a dispensary to provide free medicines and treatment to the residents. He, too, is promising to improve the sewage system, in addition to constructing new roads.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Rana Jaffar says the party has delivered on its promises in the constituency in the past. “I am hopeful of winning the elections on the basis of our performance,” he told The Express Tribune. Jaffar says it will take him no more than a few months to solve the problems the residents face. Ward 10 includes Chak Bhrat, Duragpura, Nayan, Ghindra Kalan, Malikpur, Babuwala, Dehr Pindim Bhratpura, Sajpal and Alpa Juggian.

“Votes of Rajput and Arain clans and the Christian candidates hold the key in Ward 10,” says Chaudhry Allah Ditta, a resident of the area. Shabbir Shah, another resident of Ward 10, says his family has been voting for the PPP since the ‘70s. He says a visit or a statement by PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto or co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari can make a big difference.

PML-N leaders, including its Lahore chapter president Pervaiz Malik, Zaeem Qadri, Chaudhry Shahbaz and Mian Naseer, have been actively campaigning for Jaffar.

Walton Cantonment ward 10: Clean water, more graveyards

“If elected, I will install three water filtration plants in the ward,” says Mian Khalid Ahmed, the candidate from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. He says work on the project had started in the past but it was not completed owing to objections raised by some shopkeepers. He says he will make sure that more land is assigned for a girls’ primary school. “I will make sure that electricity wires hanging low in the area are removed.”

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf candidate Mian Akhtar says he will make sure that the ward has more graveyard space. “I assure my supporters that I will improve the condition of primary schools and the sewage system,” he says. Faheem Ahmed Khan, an independent candidate, says he is aware of people’s problems. “I will make sure that all issues are resolve immediately.”

Jamaat-i-Islami candidate Hafiz Laeq says he will hold open courts to address people’s problems. He says he will particularly work for the welfare of the poor. Nearly 27,000 voters will choose from among 10 candidates contesting from the ward.

Walton Cantonment ward 6: Potable water pledged

For Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) candidate Rana Sajid, improving the sewage system and providing clean drinking water is the biggest challenge in Ward 6.

“Drinking water here is contaminated with sewage. Tap water is thus unfit for consumption. I will take up the issue immediately after being elected,” says Sajid. Ghulam Rasul Chaudhry, the Pakistan Peoples Party candidate, says he will ensure that land is allocated for a graveyard. He also promises to improve roads in the ward. “People of the area will no longer have to go to the Cantonment Board for their problems if I am elected.” Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate Chaudhry Sajjad says he will give priority to water issues in the locality.

Walton Cantonment ward 7: ‘More land will be acquired for graveyard’

Pakistan Peoples Party candidate Chaudhry Sharif says he will ensure that more land is allocated for the graveyard in the area. He says providing clean drinking water is also a priority. “I will install water filtration plants.” Nisar Shahid Lodhi, the candidate for Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, says he will not make tall claims since as an elected member his powers would be limited. “I will focus on building new roads and providing potable water for the people in the ward,” he says. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate Tahir Hameed says the PML-N government has already done a lot for people. “People in the area trust me. I will ensure that residents of the ward have carpeted streets and access to clean drinking water,” he says.

Walton Cantonment ward 8:  ‘Widow fund’, orphanage promised

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf candidate Rao Irshad candidate says the ward faces many problems, including unavailability of clean drinking water. “Almost half of the roads here have potholes. I will make sure that they are paved,” he says. He promises to do his best to provide more schools for boys and girls. “The ward also needs a dispensary,” he says. Pakistan Peoples Party’s Mian Safdar says if elected, he will install streetlights in the entire ward. “I will propose a ‘widow fund’ and a support centre for orphans.” He says providing potable water is also among his priorities. Mateen Butt, the candidate for Jamaat-i-Islami, says provision of clean drinking water, an improved sewage system, a dispensary and hospital are his priorities.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24^th, 2015.