Important clash in Jhang

Many important political personalities are contesting the six National Assembly and 11 Provincial Assembly seats in Jhang district which has 1,577,834 registered voters.

PML-QA central information secretary Syeda Abida Hussain, twice a federal minister, is contesting against her traditional opponent and a relative, Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, a PPP central leader and also two-time federal minister in NA-88 (Shahjewna).

Two other important leaders Dr Tahirul Qadri, the chief of Pakistan Awami Tehrik and Maulana Azam Tariq, who heads the outlawed Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, are facing each other in NA-89 (Jhang city and Sadar).

Since the SSP is banned, Tariq is contesting as an independent and is in fact arted as a strong candidate.

Qadri, on the other hand, is seen as having virtually no chance at all. NA-88 comprises rural areas, with almost no urban pockets. The voters are mostly peasants and literacy rate is well below average. Most voters follow the orders of their spiritual leaders while casting the ballot.

Faisal Saleh seems to have an edge over Begum Abida Hussain because a former MPA and influential landlord of the area, Ghulam Ahmad Gadi, has some political differences with Abida.

If the differences are not resolved, Faisal's chances for victory improve remarkably. If they do, it would be a neck and neck contest. Faisal has also moved the Lahore High Court against Abida for disqualification accusing her of stealing electricity.

A recent clash between the activists of both sides, in which Abida alleged Faisal's men shot dead one of her supporters, has in fact raised the level of tension further.

Abida has filed a murder case against Faisal and his partymen and the matter is likely to reach the courts within a week.

Faisal's men are also spreading rumours that Abida recently became a graduate only because the influence of her husband in the Multan area, from where she sat the exam, was used to bring in more marks for her. It may also be noted that Abida is one of the few female contestants competing on a general seat as she has done since 1977.

NA-89 is believed to be stronghold of Maulana Tariq with around 30,000 committed voters. But Dr Qadri and PPPP's Makhdoomzada Syed Asad Hayat Shah, who are other two main contestants, also have their vote bank.

Maulana Tariq was elected twice from this constituency. In NA-90, the Millat Party nominee (Shorkot Municipality committee and cantt): Sahibzada Nazir Sultan is the most favourite candidate as he has been elected MNA four times.

The Sahibzada comes from the family of a famous saint and his election on different party tickets shows that his personality counts more than his political affiliation.

It is believed that he will easily defeat his rivals Shahbaz Ahmad Gujjar of MMA and independent Begum Saima Akhtar Bharwana who is the wife of a former provincial minister Akhtar Bharwana.

Faisal Saleh is contesting from NA-91 (Garh Maharaja and Ahmadpur Sial) where his main rival is PML-QA's Sahibzada Mohammed Mehboob Sultan, who is the nephew of Sahibzada Nazir Sultan.

This is Faisal's 'back-up' seat, in case he loses to Abida. He has a fair chance of winning because his competitor Mehboob Sultan is not as strong a candidate as his uncle Nazir Sultan.