- Sources say independent candidates Hashmi and Dogar being backed by PML-N and PTI respectively
- Add that some members of PML-N, PTI are not happy over their parties’ support for independent candidates
- Say Hashmi contacted Bilawal to withdraw PPP candidate in his support
The situation in Multan’s NA-149 is highly uncertain ahead of the by-polls. Veteran politician Javed Hashmi’s – though enjoying the support of several political parties and the Punjab Government – faces tough competition as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s local voters are likely to support former Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) loyalist Malik Amir Dogar who is contesting the by-polls as an independent candidate, Pakistan Today has learnt.
PTI and PML-N have not fielded any candidates for the by-polls and both are covertly backing independent candidates, sources have confirmed.
According to a reliable source, last week Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza Shahbaz directed DCO Multan Zahid Salim Gondal to mobilise all government resources to secure Hashmi’s win. RPO Multan, DPO Multan, EDOs and other high-ranking officials also attended the video-conference.
Sources close to Hashmi told Pakistan Today that development projects are being designed to favour Hashmi.
“Hashmi resigned from PTI on Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s and the local leadership’s directive who wanted him to declare his loyalty to the ruling Sharif family,” the source said.
The source added that senior politicians including Pakhtunkhwa milli Awami Party (PMAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Farooq Sattar, PPP leader Syed Khurshid Shah have also assured Hashmi of addressing public gatherings in Multan soon.
A source close to Hashmi told Pakistan Today, “Fearing a backlash from PTI’s workers, Hashmi has sought security from Punjab Government to enable him to campaign.”
After having to face derogatory slogans from PTI supporters, Hashmi is merely running his election campaign from home, conducting around eight press conferences daily.
HASHMI CONTACTS BILAWAL FOR PPP’S SUPPORT:
“Hashmi also contacted PPP Co-Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and urged him to withdraw the PPP candidate in his favour so that the PTI-backed candidate can be defeated,” a source said.
Hashmi is contesting the by-polls as an independent candidate after quitting as PTI president. He had won 2013 General Election from NA-149 with a margin of over 10,000 votes.
Hashmi is being challenged by independent candidate and PPP South Punjab chapter former general-secretary Dogar. Dogar, who refused a PPP ticket, has the full support of PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, sources have said.
PPP has fielded Javed Siddiqi who has as yet failed to mobilise PPP workers in his favor, leaving Bilawal House to consider withdrawing him in Hashmi’s favour.
NA-149, with 338,005 voters, has been a stronghold of PML-N. However, riding on a PTI popularity wave, Hashmi defeated PML-N candidate Tariq Rashid in 2013 General Election.
Hashmi won from this constituency for the first time in 2008 with a PML-N ticket.
TWIST IN THE SUPPORT:
Sources close to Dogar and Hashmi have confirmed that some local leaders of PTI and PML-N are violating their party’s decisions to support either candidate, which may lead to a twist in events.
“Though Tariq Rashid claims to support Hashmi, he is unhappy with Hashmi’s likely return to the PML-N. He is covertly backing his brother, Tahir Rashid, an independent candidate,” a PML-N source said, adding that other PML-N leaders including Bilal Butt and Senator Rafiq Rajwani were also unhappy over Hashmi’s likely return to PML-N.
“PML-N workers think he would rebel against the party again,” the source added.
Similarly, PTI supporters view Dogar as an alien who may rebel against the party as Hashmi did.
“Dogar has been associated with PPP for over a decade now. His late father had been jailed for ten years for corruption charges. We don’t think Dogar will be a good choice. Moreover, PTI’s local leaders including Tariq Naeemullah, Saeed Qureshi and Khalid Khakwani are hopeful of the party ticket from NA-149 after Hashmi’s departure. So they may launch a covert campaign against Dogar,” a local PTI leader said.
“The outcome of the by-polls depends on whether PTI chief Khan openly announces support for Dogar or not,” said senior journalist from Multan Amjad Bokhari.
Tahir Mahmood, another senior journalist, said that Hashmi’s position was weak as he had no personal vote bank in NA-149.
“Hashmi has strength in NA-148 which is his traditional constituency but he has no personal vote in NA-149. He only won last time due to the Khan factor. Dogar has about 20,000-25,000 personal votes under his belt.”
Mahmood said that Dogar was leading the race, adding, “PTI’s charged voters don’t like Dogar but they are eager to teach Hashmi a lesson.”