UC-234: PTI, PML-N campaigning on similar premise

PTI man says party popular among youngsters

LAHORE:

Provision of clean drinking water and reconstructing the sewerage system are on the top of the agenda of all individuals contesting the local government elections in areas in Township.

Both, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) candidates in Union Council-234 have premised their electoral campaign on the twin issues in view of the diminished importance of fraternal ties and caste in urban areas.

The UC is composed of low-income neighbourhoods that cover select parts of Township Sector A2 and B1. Malik Shaukat Ali, the PML-N’s candidate for the UC’s chairmanship, said the government had addressed most of citizens’ problems. Of these, he said education, unemployment and poverty were a few challenges that still had to be addressed. Haji Imtiaz Ahmad, the PML-N’s candidate for the UC’s vice chairmanship, said a number of residents were employed at the Kot Lakhpat Industrial Estate. “We have been trying to liaise with businessmen to create more opportunities for youngsters,” he said.  Ahmad said the area’s failing sewerage system particularly inconvenienced residents. He said their troubles were compounded in the rainy season when the area resembled a pond.

The PTI has nominated fresh faces for the election. Its candidate for the chairmanship of the UC, Haji Wilayat Ali, also highlighted the same issues. He claimed the PTI was extremely popular among the youth in the area. Ali said the party would strive to solve both the problems if it was elected. He said there was a pressing need to install more water supply tube wells in the area as the area’s population had exponentially increased over a decade. Imran Shah, the PTI’s candidate for the UC’s vice chairmanship, said the majority of residents had been calling for the installation of a filtration plant in addition to a revamped sewerage system.

Residents told The Express Tribune that whether the PTI or the PML-N wins the elections was inconsequential. They said what was more important was that whosoever wins strives to address citizens’ problems. Some Township Sector A-2 residents bemoaned that their MNA and MPA had never bothered to tour the area after being elected in the 2013 general elections. They said they could derive solace from the forthcoming elections as those elected would hail from their areas and be reachable anytime.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22^nd, 2015.