Township: PTI fields fresh faces in UC-235

Residents say high incidence of crime in the area a cause for concern

LAHORE: Like many other neighbourhoods of the metropolis, residents of Union Council-235 are not satisfied with the area’s sewerage and water supply system.

Scores of people told The Express Tribune that those elected in the forthcoming local government elections should prioritise the construction of branch roads and small streets in the area. The UC, which includes middle and low-income neighbourhoods, is composed of small houses and quarters measuring 4.5 marlas and landed properties of two to three kanals. Seen as a model area in Township, the UC is equipped with all amenities needed to lead a modern lifestyle. The facilities include schools, colleges, vocational and teacher training institutes and sports grounds.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has awarded chairman and vice chairman tickets to fresh candidates in connection with the forthcoming elections. Haji Khadim Hussain, the PTI’s candidate for the UC’s chairmanship, told The Express Tribune that he had been associated with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for a long time. Hussain said he had joined the PTI in 2010. He said he had established a business after retiring from a bank. Hussain said he would prioritise the provision of clean drinking water and the reconstruction of the area’s sewerage system if he was elected.

Hizbullah Khan, the PTI’s candidate for the UC’s vice chairmanship, said the high incidence of crime in the area was a cause for concern. He said the PTI would strive to curb crime if it was elected. Khan also spoke about the water supply and sewerage system in the area as being pressing issues. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has chosen seasoned candidates in contrast to the PTI. The party has awarded a ticket for the UC’s chairmanship to Asif Khan, who had previously served as a councillor. He said the party had premised its electoral campaign on addressing citizens’ problems as caste and fraternal bonds had become inconsequential in urban areas.  Chaudhry Muhammad Ramazan, the PML-N’s candidate for the UC’s vice chairmanship, said the government had been continuously striving to revamp infrastructure in the area. Ramazan, who had served as a councillor in 2001, said most of citizens’ problems in the area had been addressed with the exception of water supply and sewerage.

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