Lobbying for change: Who pulls the strings for Tank’s district nazim slot?
Local journalist talks politics and influence which will determine who wins coveted post.
An unseen force behind the election to the coveted post
DI KHAN:
With Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl vying for the district nazim slot in Tank district, there appears to be an unseen force behind the election to the coveted post.
Insiders familiar with the matter believe Ghulam Qadar Bhittani, a politician in the district, is likely to exert influence on the nazim elections from the electoral college. He has served as an MPA between 2008 and 2013 but was denied a ticket for the previous general elections.
In Tank, PTI gained six seats and JUI-F bagged five seats. Meanwhile, independent candidates won four seats. Following last week’s local government elections in the province, Ghulam Qadar has thrown his weight behind three independent candidates.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Munir Bhittani, a local journalist said a number of factors are likely to influence who will become the district nazim.
Clash of priorities
According to Munir, PTI MNA Dawar Khan Kundi’s brother Mustafa Kundi, who won from Ranwal union council and JUI-F MPA Mehmood Bhittani’s brother Saeed Ahmad Khan, who won from Dabara UC, are in the running for the slot.
“Both candidates still need the support of Ghulam Qadar,” he said. “However, the politician might have stringent conditions – especially for JUI-F. Ghulam Qadar earlier asked JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for a ticket in the next general elections. However, Mehmood fears Ghulam Qadar’s entry into the party will reduce his own influence in the party.”
Munir believes this clash of priorities is likely to affect the selection.
Make or break?
Although little is known about PTI’s association with Ghulam Qadar, a meeting was held earlier this week in the provincial capital between Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and two independent district councillors – Aftab Ahmad Khan and Irfan Kundi. Aftab is among the three candidates who are being supported by Ghulam Qadar while Kundi is the fourth independent candidate elect.
“However, it is believed Aftab has returned to Ghulam Qadar’s side and has pledged to follow his directives,” Munir added. “I still have my doubts about whether the latter will trust him again.”
Money politics
Munir maintained money will also play a pivotal role in determining who is elected to the coveted post. “PTI district member Najib Mehsud and JUI-F candidate Sher Bahadar Kakakhel are also vying for the district nazim slot,” he said.
According to the journalist, Mehsud is a businessman from Abbottabad who has only risen to prominence after the LG polls while Kakakhel comes from a political background.
“It remains to be seen whether money politics will take precedence over political acumen,” he added.
Similarly, Munir explained Ghulam Qadar may have to choose wisely since Kakakhel was arrested by NAB in March 2006 over corruption charges. Under the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999, anyone who is punished by NAB cannot contest election for 10 years.
“Even though he wasn’t eligible to contest until April 2016, Kakakhel was elected district councillor,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2015.
With Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl vying for the district nazim slot in Tank district, there appears to be an unseen force behind the election to the coveted post.
Insiders familiar with the matter believe Ghulam Qadar Bhittani, a politician in the district, is likely to exert influence on the nazim elections from the electoral college. He has served as an MPA between 2008 and 2013 but was denied a ticket for the previous general elections.
In Tank, PTI gained six seats and JUI-F bagged five seats. Meanwhile, independent candidates won four seats. Following last week’s local government elections in the province, Ghulam Qadar has thrown his weight behind three independent candidates.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Munir Bhittani, a local journalist said a number of factors are likely to influence who will become the district nazim.
Clash of priorities
According to Munir, PTI MNA Dawar Khan Kundi’s brother Mustafa Kundi, who won from Ranwal union council and JUI-F MPA Mehmood Bhittani’s brother Saeed Ahmad Khan, who won from Dabara UC, are in the running for the slot.
“Both candidates still need the support of Ghulam Qadar,” he said. “However, the politician might have stringent conditions – especially for JUI-F. Ghulam Qadar earlier asked JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for a ticket in the next general elections. However, Mehmood fears Ghulam Qadar’s entry into the party will reduce his own influence in the party.”
Munir believes this clash of priorities is likely to affect the selection.
Make or break?
Although little is known about PTI’s association with Ghulam Qadar, a meeting was held earlier this week in the provincial capital between Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and two independent district councillors – Aftab Ahmad Khan and Irfan Kundi. Aftab is among the three candidates who are being supported by Ghulam Qadar while Kundi is the fourth independent candidate elect.
“However, it is believed Aftab has returned to Ghulam Qadar’s side and has pledged to follow his directives,” Munir added. “I still have my doubts about whether the latter will trust him again.”
Money politics
Munir maintained money will also play a pivotal role in determining who is elected to the coveted post. “PTI district member Najib Mehsud and JUI-F candidate Sher Bahadar Kakakhel are also vying for the district nazim slot,” he said.
According to the journalist, Mehsud is a businessman from Abbottabad who has only risen to prominence after the LG polls while Kakakhel comes from a political background.
“It remains to be seen whether money politics will take precedence over political acumen,” he added.
Similarly, Munir explained Ghulam Qadar may have to choose wisely since Kakakhel was arrested by NAB in March 2006 over corruption charges. Under the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999, anyone who is punished by NAB cannot contest election for 10 years.
“Even though he wasn’t eligible to contest until April 2016, Kakakhel was elected district councillor,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2015.