Close contest between Imran, Bilour likely in Peshawar NA-1

By
Mamoona Feroz
-
14
208

Another close contest is expected between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman (PTI) Imran Khan and the four-time winner, Awami National Party’s (ANP) Ghulam Ahmad Bilour in NA-1 Peshawar in the upcoming general election to be held in May.

Historically, NA Peshawar-1 has been the battlefield of the ANP and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). However, after the rejection of the nomination papers of the PPP candidate Zulfiqar Afghani, it is crystal clear that there will be a neck-to-neck contest between Khan and Bliour here for which they have already started their election campaign in the constituency.

The constituency has a history of producing unexpected results. This also is the constituency which has been selected by the country’s political heavyweights from outside Peshawar belonging to various political parties.

Bilour won this seat in 1988, 1997, 2008 and 1990 in which he defeated Benazir Bhutto.

Then PPP’s candidate, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao and Zafar Ali Shah had won the seat in 1988 and 1993 respectively. Later Sherpao vacated the seat to be elected as chief minister.

The PML also won the seat twice in 1977 and in 1985’s non-party based elections. Yousaf Khattak and Younis Elahi Sethi came out victorious during those elections.

The other notables who are participating in the election on NA Peshawar-1 this time are JUI-F’s Haji Shahnawaz, PML-N’s Afzal Khan Panyala, and JI’s Shabbir Ahmad Khan.

The second strongest party in the constituency, the PPP, looks weak as its main candidate Zulfiqar Afghani has been disqualified.

Afghani’s nomination papers were rejected last Sunday as he is still serving in the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL).

The covering candidate for NA-1, Iqbal Mohmand, is unwilling to contest on the seat he is the final candidate for PK Peshawar-3. However, the PPP leadership is trying to convince him to contest the election on a National Assembly seat instead of the provincial seat.

Syed Ayub Shah, who had bagged over 35,000 votes, is not considered for the ticket this time.

The votes of the religious forces, who had won this seat in 2002 on the MMA platform, are divided this time as the JUI-F, the JI, the Muttahida Deeni Mahaz and the JUI-N are contesting separately in upcoming election.

The political experts and analysts say as the Bilour family had offered numerous political services to the people of the constituency, it would e difficult for Khan to defeat him.

However, they say if the PTI succeeds in motivating the people, who did not vote in the last election to come out this time, the results could change in Khan’s favour. In 2008, only 23 percent of the registered voters had cast their votes.

The PTI is gaining popularity as the party promises to end corruption, US dominancy and restore peace in the country. However, locals say corruption is not an issue in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but militancy is which “Khan can’t eliminate as he has a soft corner for them”.

On the other hand, PTI supporters argue that Khan has always condemned militants, and remains anti-drones.

“Only Imran Khan can restore peace in the region as only he can eliminate militancy,” Ahmad Nabi, a shop owner in Mena Bazaar, said. He said he wanted change and would cast his vote for just that. The youth of the constituency is also supporting the PTI.

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14 COMMENTS

    • Suggestion for 2013 election for PTI Chairman
      Emphasis on price reduction of petroleum products, electricity and gas during election campaign
      In 1998 PML (N) made shortage of flour and made undue profit. You should make realize people of KPK that you will solve their genuine problem. You should remind the people of KPK that EX Prime Minster Mian Nawaz Sharif and CM Punjab Shabaz Sharif in 1998 band the movement of flour form punjab to KPK, Tehsil Isa khel, Tabbi sar, Tolabangi Khel Union Council and other area of the Isa Khel, Which caused flour crises in KPK during 1998 the price of 20 kg flour was 1000 to 1500 Rupees. The also banned recruitment of civil servant in government department in his twice tenor.

  2. Tondahi Bad-E-Mukhalif Say Na Ghabra Ay Uqaab Yeh Tu Chalti Hai Tujhy Uncha Uranay Kay Laye
    ,we are with you to save Pakistan.Imran Khan,Imran Khan

  7. Bilour with all his mega failure as Railways Minister and ANP general downfall, Imran Khan with all his youth voters, I predict this may be a close contest but He will win!

  8. Bilour is one of corrupt and failed political leaders of that area even then he got huge margin from there.Once bhutto also won this seat with heavy mandate although she never did any thing for this constituency.Sherpoa also won who then sit in lap of Musharraf for 5 years.So one can assume that this is some kind of fake constituency where bogus votes plays major role

  9. bilour is one of corrupt political leader.and he never don /visited to his assign area.also co laps railway dept,so ptcl colony Peshawar resident will poll their vote for imran khan .and no one can win this area NA 1 from imran khan .

  12. No more theives, enough is enough. Now Imran is our leader. He is an honest, educated, clean person. Who has been serving for Pakistan for decades now and has done something from his own for Pakistan. We trust him.

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