The politicians from Sargodha have always played a vital role in the country's politics owing to their presence in the federal cabinet. Many of them have remained close aides to many former prime ministers.

The first man from Sargodha who assumed the office of prime minister in 1956 was Feroze Khan Noon and then the race started among the local politicians for getting a slot in the cabinet at provincial and federal levels.

Piracha, Cheema, Noon, Rajput, Lak, Ranjha, Awan and Arain are the main players in the politics of Sargodha district and these families have exploited the locals during every election in the name of prosperity and progress.

The Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) have been sharing the local politics while Jamaat-e-Islami and other religious parties like Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam also remained popular among the people.

The next month's elections are giving a new picture as once the PML-N stronghold, Sargodha, is poised to witness a real fight between the candidates of the Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-i-Azam) and the Pakistan People's Party (Parliamentarians) with very little chances for any PML-N candidate's victory.

The PML-N has fielded newcomers for the National Assembly seats and the absence of the PML-N leadership will also affect the party position.

On the other hand, the local party office-bearers and reputed political figures have joined hands with the PML-QA. As a result, the end-losers will be the PML-N candidates.

Political analysts are of the view that the split in the PML into two factions has given the PPPP a chance to dominate the local politics.

The population of Sargodha district is three million, and there are 1,495,287 registered voters – 795,002 being males and 720,050 females. After new delimitations, the district has been divided into five National Assembly constituencies.

The Piracha family, Pir of Bhera Sharif and the Noon family have strong influence in the constituency NA-64. Five candidates – Ibrahim Shah (PML-N), Inamul Haq Piracha (PPPP), Ch Mohammed Ali (PML-QA), Malik Hamid Zaman (MMA) and Pirzada Mohammed Mohsin Shah are contesting for this constituency.

Ex-senator Ihsanul Haq Piracha (PPP) had won the seat twice, but lost in 1993. Adnan Hayat Noon (PML-N) won the seat in 1997 by defeating Inamul Haq Piracha (PPP).

Though Noon has announced to support Ch Mohammed Ali (PML-QA) for the October general elections but he is allegedly not canvassing for him.

Three candidates are in the run, but a close contest is expected between those from PPPP and PML-QA. PML-N candidate Pir Ibrahim Shah is apparently not in a strong position but he will give tough time to the other two candidates in the areas like Bhera and Miani.

Ranjha, Midhiana, Badrana, Lak, Mela, Bhatti, Bajwa and Awan are the main tribes in NA-65 and these feudal lords influence every election.

This is the constituency from where ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif was elected in 1990. Surprisingly, the PML-N lost the seat after three years in the 1993 general elections. The PPP and PML-N have won the seat twice since 1988.

In the October general elections, the PPPP, PML-QA, PML-N and Pakistan Awami Tehrik have fielded their candidates, but the real fight is expected between Ghias Ahmad Mela of PML-QA and Mehr Khaliq Yar Lak of PPPP.

ML-N candidate Ihtisham Cheema is not known in the constituency and even PML-N divisional president Shah Nawaz Ranjha is supporting the PPPP candidate.

Former legislators Liaquat Hayat Badrana and Aslam Midhiana have also announced to support Mehr Khaliq Yar Lak. Ex-MPA Mehr Anwar Hayat Lak is also in favour of Ghias Mela.

Political analysts opine that the PPPP candidate is in a strong position owing to the backing of major tribes. There is a mixed influence of political parties and "Biradaris" (clan) in NA-66 which comprises city areas.

The Islami Jamhoori Ittihad candidates, backed by the PML-N, won the seat in 1988 and 1990. The candidates who had won the seat in the past were backed by the Arain clan as they had great influence in the area.

This time, the clan is divided, as there are two contestants who are Arain. All major political parties have fielded their candidates from the constituency, but the real fight is expected between Tasnim Ahmad Qureshi of PPPP, Dr Arshad Shahid of MMA and Ch Hamad Hamid of PML-N. Here PML-QA candidate Mian Shahid Nazir is in a weak position.

Dr Arshad of MMA started his campaign many months ago, while PML-N candidate Hamad Hamid is relying on "Biradari" and party vote bank.

Tasnim Qureshi started his election campaign a bit late, but he is going well. This is the only constituency where the PML-N candidate is in a strong position.

NA-67 is dominated by Cheema, Bhatti, Kalyar and Gujjar families. The candidates of main three parties - PPPP, PML-QA and MMA -belong to the Cheema family.

Ch Anwar Ali Cheema (now PML-QA candidate) had won the seat five times, but this time he is in hot water owing to the opposition by Gujjar, Kalyar and Bhatti tribes as they are supporting MMA candidate Shams Navid Cheema.

The PML-N has withdrawn its candidate in favour of the MMA candidate after seat adjustment.
Political analysts are of the view that Hafizullah Cheema (PPPP) is not enjoying good position. The present political scenario of the constituency indicates that Cheema will have to make great efforts to win the seat this time.