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PAKISTAN DECIDES: Peshawar: NA-1, NA-2, NA-3 and NA-4

Tough electoral battle expected in Peshawar

By Zakir Hassnain and Ibrahim Khan (Daily Times)

Peshawar, the gateway to Central Asia, has the honour of being the first National Assembly constituency in the country, and is poised to witness a tough electoral battle between political giants on January 8.
Stretched over an area of 1,257 square kilometres and with a population of 2,656,000, the Peshawar district consists of four National Assembly and 11 provincial assembly seats.
There are 1,224,799 registered voters in the district out of which 768,685 are male and 456,114 are female.
The district has 833 polling stations — 415 for male voters, 348 for female voters — with 70 polling stations being shared by both sexes. There are 2,342 polling booths in the district — 1,443 for male voters and 899 for female voters.rs.
Peshawar district had been a stronghold of the Pakistan Muslim League. When President Pervez Musharraf removed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in a military coup in 1999, the PML-Nawaz was in power in the province with Sardar Mehtab Abbasi as its chief minister.
With the emergence of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the PPP-Parliamentarians (PPPP), in 1967-68, PPPP and the ANP, two traditional rivals, dominated the scene. Both gave a tough time to each other and bagged most seats since 1988 general elections.
Tensions ran high between the two parties in the past elections, so much so that in the 1997 polls, Shabbir Bilour, son of the then ANP candidate Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, died in a shootout resulting from an electoral dispute with PPPP candidate late Qamar Abbas who was gunned down on May 6, 2007.
However, the former political foes buried the hatchet in the 2002 general elections and made a seat-adjustment alliance for four National Assembly and 11 provincial assembly seats against the Mutahidda Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), the six-party religious alliance.
However, the seat-adjustment alliance proved to be a disaster as the religious alliance emerged victorious.
In the run: 38 contestants are in the running for four National Assembly seats, while 118 competitors are vying for 11 provincial assembly seats. No female candidate is contesting for the NA seats while five women are in the race for provincial assembly seats.
A total of 118 challengers belong to the PPPP, the ANP, the MMA, the PML-Q and the PML-N.

NA-1:
It is mostly inhabited by Hindkowan who are comparatively well-off. In addition to Hindko speakers, Pakhtuns, Persians, Sikh and Christian minorities are also part of the constituency. Among Pakhtuns, Mohmand community, which strictly follows the caste system, is in majority.
It was considered to be a Muslim League stronghold but when the Muslim League split into various factions, it lost grip over its traditional constituency.
Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao (PPPP), Ghulam Ahmed Bilour (ANP), Syed Zafar Ali Shah (PPPP), Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour (ANP) and Shabbir Ahmed Khan (MMA) won the elections in 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997 and 2002 respectively from this constituency.
Ghulam Ahmed Bilour (ANP), Ayub Shah (PPPP), Jalil Jan (MMA) and Aurangzeb Mohmand (PPP-Sherpao) are prominent among others contesting in January 8 elections for NA-1.
Haji Muhammad Afzal, PML-Nawaz candidate, withdrew his nomination papers in favor of ANP’s Ghulam Bilour without his party’s consent, causing an upset. PML-N leadership expelled Afzal from the party’s basic membership for violating party discipline.
“I’ll comfortably win the election,” ANP’s Ghulam Bilour told Daily Times. Bilour said the people were fed up with the so-called champions of the Islamic system, an indirect reference to the MMA, who he added did nothing during their five-year rule. “People will vote for the ANP and the PPPP,” said the ANP leader.
PPPP candidate Ayub Shah tipped Bilour as his close rival. “But I am optimistic about my chances of winning the election,” said Shah.
MMA candidate Haji Jalil Jan, belonging to the JUI-F, has not so far won any notable election but is also hopeful. He is of the view that Bilour is a strong candidate.
Public opinion suggests money, the caste system, the murder of PPPP leader Qamar Abbas and anti-deal feelings will have a great impact on the election results.
PF-1:
This constituency of the provincial assembly falls in the jurisdiction of NA-1. Ayub Shah from the PPPP won from this constituency in 1988 while ANP’s Bashir Ahmed Bilour emerged victorious consecutively in 1990, 1993 and 1997.
However, the MMA surprised both the mainstream parties in the 2002 general elections when its candidate, Dr Muhammad Zakir Shah from the Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, won with 8,953 votes.
Iqbal Zafar Jhagra of the PML-N, Dr Zakir Shah from the MMA, Akbar Khan Mohmand of the PPPP, Abdul Walif of the PML-Q, and Malik Muhammad Nadeem of the PPP-Sherpao, are prominent among those contesting January 8 elections.
Former MMA woman member of the provincial assembly (MPA) Ghaliba Khurshid is also vying for the general seat.
Voters said that the PML-N, the PPPP and the MMA candidates are strong contenders in the general elections.
PF-2:
The late Syed Qamar Abbas (PPPP), Haji Muhammad Javed, Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI), Syed Ali Shah (PML-N), and Syed Zahir Ali Shah (PPPP), won in 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997 and 2002 general elections respectively. Important candidates contesting from this constituency are Zahir Ali Shah (PPPP), Haroon Bilour (ANP), Hussain Ahmed Madni (MMA), Fakhre Alam (PPP-S), and Arif Bashir (PML-Q).
The constituency people expect a tough competition between the ANP and the PPPP candidates.
PF-3:
The PF-3 is the third provincial assembly constituency that comes in the NA-1 domain. The PF-3 areas are located in the old city.
Former chief minister, late Arbab Muhammad Jehangir Khalil, who was an independent candidate, won from this constituency in 1988 while Arbab Saifur Rehman of the ANP was victorious three times in a row in 1990, 1993 and 1997. ANP’s Bashir Bilour was a winner with 9,504 votes in the 2002 elections. Besides Bilour, who won in 2002 elections, Muhammad Iqbal (PPPP), Aurangzeb Mohmand (PPP-S), Khadim Ali Khan (PML-N), Maulana Abdul Rauf (MMA), and Ghaliba Khurshid (independent), are in the run for this constituency.
Firing by unidentified people at a PPPP electoral rally resulting in two deaths, has undermined the ANP candidate’s position. Bilour denied his party’s involvement in the incident saying some elements were attempting to undermine his electoral position though this incident. While his rival Muhammad Iqbal of the PPPP said ‘criminals’ had no right to represent the people of Peshawar and the election results on January 8 would prove this fact.

NA-2, PF-4, PF-5 and PF-6


National Assembly constituency NA-2 consists of Peshawar cantonment areas, Hayatabad, University Town areas, Palosai, the Peshawar airport, Tehkal Bala and Payan, Regi, Pawaka, Sufaid Dheri, Nawa Kili, and Pishtakhara besides others.
The NA-2 constituency is mainly inhabited by the rich and middle class. However, there are some areas in Tehkaal and on Warsak Road where people are living below the poverty line.
The NWFP Assembly constituencies, PF-4, 5 and 6, are also part of NA-2.
Former PPPP federal minister Khan Bahadur Khan won from this constituency in 1988 while former chief minister late Arbab Muhammad Jehangir Khan emerged triumphant in 1990, 1993 and 1997. The late Arbab contested on an ANP ticket in 1990, on a PPPP ticket in 1993 and then again from the ANP platform in 1997.
However, both the ANP and the PPPP lost their stronghold in the 2002 general elections when MMA’s Maulana Rehmatullah caused an upset by winning this seat.
Rehmatullah told Daily Times he had solved 90 percent of the problems faced by locals. “I am sure my voters will vote for me again this time,” said the MMA candidate. He was of the view that the JI boycott of the polls would not have any effect on his candidacy.
Maulana Rehmat’s opponent Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan, son of the late Arbab Jehangir Khan, said the people would vote for him as the MMA had disappointed them and their time was over. The people said Dr Alamgir’s father had done a lot of development work in the constituency despite switching parties.
ANP challenger Arbab Najibullah claimed he would win the seat as the public was with the nationalist party due to its manifesto. “I’ll defeat all [the] candidates,” he said. Arbab Najib had the same opinion about the MMA as PPPP’s Dr Alamgir.
Malik Najab Gul, a PML-Q candidate, said the MMA had totally failed in its five-year rule adding it was a disaster. He was optimistic of winning the seat.

PF-4:
The PPPP dominated this constituency in 1988 when its candidate Muhammad Azam Khan Afridi, former Peshawar district nazim, scored a great victory with 10,045 votes.
ANP’s Haji Muhammad Adeel has the honour of winning thrice in the 1990, 1993 and 1997 general elections while Ibrahim Qasmi, an independent candidate who later joined the MMA, won the 2002 general elections.
Aqil Shah (ANP), Kafayatullah (PPPP), Dr Simin Mehmud Jan (PML-Q), Shazia Asif (independent), widow of Asif Baghi who was killed in a bomb blast, Ibrahim Qasmi (independent), Khalida Nasreen (Tehreek-e-Masawaat), Haji Ehsanul Haq (MMA), and Arshid Qureshi (PML-N) are prominent challengers.
PF-4 has the honor of introducing three women competitors — Dr Simin Mehmud Jan, Khalida Nasreen and Shazia Asif — fighting for a general seat of the provincial assembly.

PF-5:
The ANP dominated the constituency in 1988, 1990 and 1997. Abdur Rehman Khan was its candidate. PPPP’s Haji Muhammad Nawaz won in 1993 while in 2002 general elections, Maulana Amanullah Haqqani of the MMA won the seat.
Maulana Amanullah Haqqani, former MMA provincial minister, Engineer Shakirullah (PPPP), Yasin Khalil (independent), Atifur Rehman (ANP), and Pir Fida (PPP-S) are well-known challengers. Kalsoom Ghani, a woman competitor, is also contesting from this constituency.
The PPPP is confronting problems within the party as Yasin Khalil, former town nazim, is also contesting from this constituency against the party nominee Shakirullah. Yasin thought he deserved the party ticket more than Shakir.
Observers say the MMA or the ANP candidate would take advantage of the PPPP internal dispute and if both the PPPP candidates do not reach a compromise, the MMA or the ANP contestant might win the seat.

PF-6:
Despite changing party loyalties, Arbab Muhammad Ayub Jan won the seat in 1988 as a PPP candidate, 1990 as a Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDA) candidate, 1993 as a PPP candidate and 1997 as an ANP candidate.
However, Kashif Azam, former MMA minister, won from PF-6 in 2002 elections.
Maulana Shaheenullah (MMA), Ishfaq Ahmed (PPPP), Muhammad Alamgir Khalil (ANP), and Hikmat Khan (PML-N), are top contenders in the present elections.
Public opinion indicates that since the ANP and the PPPP had a good electoral record in the past elections, both are likely to give a tough time to each other.

NA-4, PF-9, PF-10 and PF-11

NA-4 became part of Peshawar district in 2002 due to population growth. This constituency mainly consists of rural areas and is inhabited by a large majority of Pushto speakers whose major source of income is agriculture.
The area landlords have a great clout with tenants and contest elections on the basis of their support. Sabir Hussain Awan of the MMA swept the polls in 2002 general elections by obtaining 28,728 votes. Awan’s close rival was ANP’s Arbab Muhammad Zahir Khan who is a landlord and is contesting from the same constituency again.
NA-4 residents are unhappy with the MMA for its failure to implement Sharia and solve their fundamental problems.
Arbab Zahir (ANP), who also won in the past elections, former Peshawar district nazim Azam Khan Afridi (PPPP), and Amir Muqam, former federal minister from the PML-Q, are strong candidates according to constituency residents.
Amir Muqam, who does not belong to the constituency, had focused on the area development under the Tameer-e-Sarhad Programme when he was the federal minister and provided gas and electricity to various NA-4 areas.
Locals predict a tough contest between the ANP, PPPP and PML-Q candidates. Public opinion also suggests Muqam could surprise his PPPP and ANP challengers.
Muqam said he did a lot of development work in the area and served the people and thus would win the seat. Afridi said he paid special attention to the area when he was the district nazim and had a large vote bank.

PF-9:
Iftikhar Ahmed Khan Jhagra (PPPP) won the seat in the 2002 general elections.
Iftikhar Jhagra (PPPP), Arbab Ayub Jan (ANP), Akhtar Nahqi (PML-Q), Capt (r) Jehangir Zaman (PML-N), and Maulana Samiur Rehman (MMA) are in the run in present elections.
The public predicted a close fight between the ANP and the PPPP challengers. Both candidates said the MMA contestant had no chance of winning the seat.

PF-10:
In the 2002 general elections, Javed Khan Mohmand won the seat from the MMA platform. Mohmand is not contesting the polls due to boycott, leaving the field to Khushdil Khan, (ANP), Abdur Razaq (PML-N) and Sajid Raza (PML-Q), besides others.
The constituency electorate are of the opinion the ANP, PML-N and PML-Q candidates will give a tough time to each other.

PF-11:
MMA’s Khalid Waqar Chamkani was the winner in 2002 elections. He is contesting again. Amir Muqam, former PML-Q federal minister and the party’s provincial president, Saqibullah Chamkani (ANP), and Kafayatullah (PPPP) are also in the electoral battle for this constituency.
The constituency’s residents are not happy with the MMA’s performance.
They said Amir Muqam, a PML-Q challenger who is not a resident of the area, could surprise other contenders as he had been actively involved in development activities and had spent a large sum of money on development in the area.

NA-3, PF-7 and PF-8

The National Assembly-3 (NA-3) constituency mainly consists of Peshawar suburbs and adjoining villages. The provincial assembly constituencies of PF-7 and PF-8 are part of NA-3 while some parts of PF-9 are also in NA-3 limits.
A major portion of the population in NA-1 are farmers and speak Khalsa or Hindko and Pushto languages. Syed families are prominent in the area.
Before the emergence of the MMA, the ANP was dominant in the area and won the seat three times in four general elections. Arbab Muhammad Zahir (ANP) won in 1990 and then again in 1993, while Arbab Saadullah Khan of the ANP emerged victorious in 1997. PPP candidate Sardar Ali Khan remained successful in 1988 elections while Qari Fayazur Rehman Alvi won from this constituency in the 2002 general elections. Iqbal Zafar Jhagra (PML-N), Muhammad Hashim Babar (ANP), Noor Alam (PPPP), and Muhammad Intikhab (PML-Q) are prominent contestants.
The constituency people are not happy with the MMA’s performance during its five-year rule. The public harbours anti-Musharraf sentiments and are determined to vote for those who did not make “a deal or compromise with the rulers”. Jhagra (PML-N) candidate and central secretary general, told Daily Times the constituency people were happy with Nawaz Sharif’s policies. Jhagra said Nawaz was the only leader who could pull the country out of the political mess.
“People will vote for me for this reason,” he said. He said the PPPP and the ANP were established parties and might give him a tough time. The PML-N challenger said the JUI-F had no chance of victory in the area. “JUI-F will only spoil the show,” he said. Jhagra said the JI voters would also cast their votes in his favor. Arbab Roohullah, an ANP dissident who was not granted a party ticket but is still contesting the seat, could also damage Hashim Babar’s chances of a win. Neutral observers and the public expect a tough fight between the PML-N, ANP and the PPPP candidates.

PF-7:
Iftikhar Ahmed Khan (PPPP), Haji Iftikhar Ahmed from the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI), Hadayatullah Khan Chamkani (ANP), Hadayatullah Khan Chamkani (ANP), and Hafiz Hashmat Khan (MMA), won the seat in 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997 and 2002, respectively. Presently, Karamatullah Chagharmati (PPPP), and Younas Khan (ANP) are favourites and both candidates said they were close contenders.
MMA’s Hashmat Khan, former provincial minister who belongs to the JI, is not taking part in the January 8 elections.

PF-7:
The ANP dominated this constituency in all general elections before 2002. Haji Abdur Raziq Khan (ANP), Muhammad Iqbal Khan (ANP), and Arbab Muhammad Zahir Khan (ANP), won in 1988, 1990, 1993 and 1997 respectively.
MMA’s former information minister Asif Iqbal Daudzai scored a victory in the 2002 elections and is again in the running as MMA candidate from the JUI-F. Besides Daudzai, Arbab Nazir (ANP), Arbab Akbar (PML-Q), Rashid Mehmud (PML-N), and Malik Tehmash Khan (PPPP) are prominent candidates from PF-8. During the survey, public opinion was totally against the MMA due to its policies and the electoral promises that its leaders made in the 2002 general elections but failed to implement.