Lahore to emerge as a key battleground

With PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Javed Hashmi filing nomination papers on Sunday, Lahore is likely to emerge as an important battleground.
Nawaz, setting his eyes on the future parliament after staying away from for 13 years, has filed his nomination papers from NA-120 Lahore. He is also contesting polls from NA-68 Sargodha.
Former Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif has picked a new constituency for himself and has filed nomination papers from N-129. He has also filed papers from PP-161 and PP-159. Whereas, his son Humza Shahbaz has been awarded a ticket from his favourite constituency NA119.
All these constituencies are Sharifs’ strongholds, but their long absence has marred their popularity. Bilal Yaseen contested from NA-120 last time and reportedly, the area people are not happy with him, accusing him of contributing nothing for the constituency in the last five years.
Several former PML-N MNAs and MPAs faced similar allegations, making it even tougher for the Sharifs to convince the voters.
Another important nomination came from Imran Khan who opted for NA-122 and NA-126 (Lahore). Interestingly, NA-122, being another stronghold of the Sharifs, is considered to be a bit challenging for the PTI chairman.
Another PTI leader Javed Hashmi has been awarded ticket from NA-118. The decision to field Hashmi from NA-118 raised many eyebrows as party leaders are confused over Imran Khan’s this decision.
In another interesting development, Ayesha Ahad, who claims to be Hamza Shahbaz’s wife, decided to challenge Hamza from NA-119 and filed her papers.
Another constituency that attracted a lot of political heavyweights apart from Imran Khan is NA-126. Liaquat Baloch, Shafqat Mahmood, Safraz Nawaz and Saeed Elahi have filed papers to contest polls from this constituency. PTI leader Shafqat Mahmood has also filed papers from NA-127.
Most surprisingly, Humayun Akhtar, filed nomination papers from seven constituencies, NA-118, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127 and NA-130. PML-N sources disclosed that Akhtar has less chances of getting a PML-N ticket or support. They are of the opinion that he could be accommodated outside Lahore.
Similarly, another PML-Likeminded leader awaiting PML-N response is Hamid Nasir Chattha, but the party is not revealing its cards for Gujranwala Division. As such the things are not much hopeful for the Like-minded group which joined hands with Sharifs after defecting from the PML-Q.
As opposed to Like-minded group, the Sharifs are more inclined to play ball with the Jamaat-e-Islami. The Sharifs are ready to support Liaquat Baloch from NA-126 and couple of more seats, if their talks with the JI leadership are fruitful.