- ECP summons all candidates of NA-48 to decide PML-N’s Aqeel’s case
- With PML-N’s Gujjar putting its back into election campaign and PTI’s Umar grinning over his likely win given PML-N’s Aqeel’s unconfirmed ticket status and rift within PML-N
- capital city paces towards a tough competition in by-polls
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday summoned all 22 contesting candidates of NA-48 to decide Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leader Anjum Aqeel’s petition regarding award of NA-48 ticket.
Former PML-N MNA Anjum Aqeel, in his petition with ECP had contended that his counsel had withdrawn his nomination papers without his consent. Hence he requested the ECP to restore his candidature as PML-N’s official candidate.
After the withdrawal of Aqeel’s nomination papers, party ticket went to Ashraf Gujjar, who is currently running his election campaign.
The seat of NA-48 constituency was won and vacated by PTI’s President Javaid Hashmi. PTI fielded renowned economist Asad Umar to retain this seat in August 22 by-elections.
ECP on Monday took up Aqeel’s application and PML-N leader Zafar Ali Shah appeared before the Members of the ECP (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan) and pleaded. After hearing initial arguments, ECP adjourned the hearing for Tuesday and summoned all the contesting candidates.
The following candidates are contesting by-elections from NA-48 Islamabad with their respective symbols:
Asia Choudhry(Crocodile), Ihsan-ul-Haq (Book), Asad Umar (Bat), Alhaj Muhammad Asad Bhatti (Fist), Altaf Hussain Awan (Safety Helmet), Ameen Shahid (Iron), Dr Tasneem-ul-Haq Hasni (Balloons), Faisal Shah Hamdani (Giraffe), Muhammad Ashraf Gujjar (Tiger), Muhammad Yasin Bhatti (Rabbit), Hussain Ahmed (Wheel barrow), Dr Rashid Qammar (Key Chain), Rab Nawaz Malik (Ostrich), Sarfaraz Wald (Basket), Syed Zia Gilani (Still Camera), Zaigham Ali Shah (Drum), Shah Dil Awan (Generator), Adul Rauf Khan (Goat), Faisal Sakhi Butt (Arrow), Muhammad Zubair (Stag), Ehsan-ul-Haq (Bottle) and Mina Gulam Rasool (Coat).
Political pundits believe that PML-N’s Anjum Aqeel could give a tough time to PTI’s Asad Umar.
Alternatively, PML-N is facing internal revolt over the award of ticket to Gujjar who stayed away from the party last year. In protest, two PML-N local leaders, Faisal Shah Hamdani and Malik Rabnawaz have announced to contest the election against Gujjar,while Anjum Aqeel who stood runner up in May 11elections with 52,000 votes is also showing his infuriation with party leadership for preferring Gujjar.
In May 11 elections, PTI’s Javaid Hashmi won the NA-48 constituency by defeating PML-N’s Anjum Aqeel with Hashmi scoring 73,878 votes and Aqeel bagging 52,205 votes. Jamat-e-Islami candidate Mina Aslam bagged 25,048 votes and PPP’s Faisal Sekhi Butt managed to get only 9,178 votes.
The constituency consists of both urban and rural areas. In general elections, it emerged as a stronghold of PTI. According to observers, PTI would enjoy larger support than other candidates while PML-N could get advantage in rural areas.