PTI chief urged to induct lawyer as law minister

Source The News

The district bar associations from Karak and Kohat on Thursday through resolutions congratulated PTI chief Imran Khan for his victory in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the May 11 general elections and requested him to induct Imtiaz Qureshi advocate in the cabinet after winning his election on PK-39 Kohat.

Both the bar associations in the resolutions stated that they are proud of the PTI chief and thanked the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for electing the candidates of PTI. The bar associations requested the PTI chief to induct Imtiaz Qureshi advocate in the provincial cabinet as law minister as he is a competent and honest elected MPA of the PTI from the southern districts of the province. Iman Khan Bangash, president of the Kohat Bar Association, and Jan Alam advocate, president Karak Bar Association, said Imtiaz Qureshi from Kohat was competent.

Youngest MPA-elect in KP

Source The News

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MPA-elect from PK-40, Karak-I, Gul Sahib Khan Khattak, is the youngest lawmaker among the 99 members, who returned to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly in the 2013 general elections.

Born on April 1, 1987, in Sabirabad in Karak district, Gul Sahib Khan received his early education in Kohat and qualified his higher secondary education certificate examination from PAF Degree College Kohat. He received his degree in Bachelor of Arts (BA) from the Islamia College.

Gul Sahib, who defeated experienced political leaders and former lawmakers, polled 24737 votes against his closest rival former provincial ministers Mian Nisar Gul Kakakhel and PML -N leader Fareed Toofan.

Among the 59 new faces, who have made it to provincial assembly for the first time in the 2013 general elections, Gul Sahib is the youngest lawmaker-elect.

JUI-F rejects PTI’s mandate as rigged

Source The Nation

 Rejecting the mandate of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Tuesday alleged that elections in Mardan, Peshawar and Kohat division were rigged.
“We will not accept PTI’s mandate in KPK, where election results have been rigged in favour of a party,” he said while talking to the media at the residence of former KPK chief minister Akram Khan Durrani in Hayatabad. 
“The PTI rigged elections in Mardan, Peshawar and Kohat divisions of KPK as well as in certain parts of FATA. The PTI mandate has become controversial. So, it has been decided that JUI-F would start a series of protests against it. May 11 polls have now become controversial, as reports of rigging have also been received from various parts of the country, he added.
Holding the Election Commission of Pakistan responsible for the rigging, he said that the ECP failed to hold free, fair and impartial elections.
About forming the coalition government in KPK, the JUI-F chief said that he has contacted PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif, QWP, JI and independent elected representatives. “We will form a government based on true mandate of the people,” he added.
Fazl is still hopeful to form government in the province but the situation on the ground does not support his optimism, especially after the clear indication of the PML-N chief to respect the PTI mandate. The numbers game also narrates a different story. 
The JUI-F has 13 members and requires 37 more to form the government. Even if it manages to win the support of PML-N, 12 MPAs, QWP and JI seven each, it would need another 11 members.

Khurshid Begum: The woman who defied the Taliban threats

Source The Express Tribune

Khurshid Begum Saeed’s admission into Parliament was fairly easy: the Awami National Party was compiling a list of women candidates for reserved seats in 2008 but did not have enough with a Bachelor’s degree. Someone suggested Khurshid Begum’s name and the rest is history.

However, while the entry was a smooth process, the ride has been anything but.

On May 16, 2012, she and her husband Saeed Shah, both ANP politicians from Kohat, were attacked by gunmen. Two persons were killed in the attack but the couple survived. This happened again on November 15.

Following the attacks, Shah received threats from militants warning him against his wife’s profession. “Tell your wife to sit at home or face the consequences,” read one message.

Khurshid Begum, however, remains undeterred. “Politics is the pinnacle of public service. I’m going to step outside to serve my people,” she said.

This time, she is running for a general seat – NA-14 (Kohat) — from ANP’s platform. Although her campaign has been suffering because of the Taliban’s threat to her party, she continues holding small gatherings and corner meetings in the villages of Kohat.

“There are some people who are scared but overall the morale of the voters is high,” she said. “When they see a woman campaigning, they are encouraged to vote.”

There are some areas in NA-14 where women have never voted before and Khurshid Begum is trying to turn that around. “These women are not aware of the importance of their votes,” she said. “I’ve convinced them that by voting they can play a major part in improving the conditions of their area.”

She claims to have spent her MNA discretionary funds on water, electricity and gas supply projects in Kohat, built a library and a press club and got grants for both the Kohat University of Sciences and Technology and a Centre for Special Education.

If elected, she vows to provide better education and health facilities for women in the rural areas, and wants to establish a cancer hospital in Kohat as well as completing a Burns Centre she initiated during the previous term.

“Please think about the impact of your vote and stop fearing the extremists,” she said, addressing potential voters. “Fear will only help terrorists usurp your freedom.  If you let them decide your fate, the future generation will have to bear the loss.”

12 polling stations set up in Kohat for Fata IDPs

Source The Frontier Post

To poll vote in General Election 2013 on May 11, 2013, 46 Polling Booths in 12 Polling Stations have been established at District Kohat and Hangu for the IDPs of Orakzai Agency comes under jurisdiction of the Constituency NA-39(FATA). Reportedly, these polling stations will be for various tribes/Khel basis as per the details are follow. Polling Station for the IDPs of Orakzai
Agency NA-39(FATA) at GPS No.1 Baqeezai Kohat for Mamozai tribe (area belongs, Teezi, Akhoonkot, Ado Khel, Bar, Kam, Nawasi, Drak, Akhoonzadgom, Sama, Parachgan), 4 Polling Stations at Working Folks
Grammer School at Jerma Kohat, where, Khan, Mir, Garhi, Worri, Jabba, Dars Khel, Akhonzadgam, Arghujna, Mpoati, Gota Khel, Nasir, Nawasi, Panra, Manda, Umar, Babozoo Pkha, Landy Jani Khel, KhawasKhel, Shaway
Pila Khel, Bia, Balazwi, Karappa, Kharkai, will poll votes for election of National Assembly member of their respective constituency. Similarly, polling station at Govt Degree College for Boy No.2, Kohat for the IDPs of Ali Khen tribe (area belongs, Alaf Khen, Zankha Khel, Chappar, Ali Khel, Tapoos Kak, Ali Khan Gari,
Kago, Kamar, Badama Charkhio Kilay, Zor Kalay, Kronjki, Teeri, Ghoatak Khel, Ghotak Issa Khel will poll vote on May 11, 2013. In the District Hangu, well organized polling stations have also been arranged for poll day of General Elections 2013 for the IDPs of NA-39(FATA) Orkazai Agency at G.G.D.C Railway Road Road Hangu for Ali Khel tribe (area belongs, Kagni, Taghmni, Baghanak, Spidar,) G.P.S No.2 Zargeri Hangu
Ali Khel tribe( area belongs Bari Khel, Yousaf Khel, Kot Killi, Zakhtan Aghal, Chinar, Chokari), G.G.P.S Azizabad Zargeri Hangu Ali Khel tribe (area belongs, Baqi Koroona, Khaidzan, Stara Kadda, Kot, Moti, Chnna, Zakhfan, Manro, Pati, Dappar), polling station at Agency
Surgeion Office Orakzai Agency for Ali Khel tribe (area belongs, Taroopi, Sawaro Kot, Soroni, Gulchiri), G.M.S Raisaan Kohat Ali Khel tribe (area belongs, Badana, Gandi Tall, Bahana, Gali, Berooi, Dappar Tata Killi), "sources said".

Heavy weights to face off in NA-14 Kohat

Source The Frontier Post

Like the whole of Pakistan, in Kohat too, necessary arrangements for NA-14 have been completed by the District Election Commission, District Returning Officer and District Administration of Kohat. There are 409374 registered voters, out of which male 233544, female 175830 voters, total 378 polling stations are established, 76 are high sensitive, 116 sensitive and 186 normal. Total 1137 polling booths are established in 378 poling stations. Keeping in view the law and order situation, Army Quick Response ((QRF) force will be deployed in the high sensitive areas of Kohat. 
In Kohat, people of various castes such as Khattak, Afridi, Orakzai, Mohmand and Kurram Agency are residing. In the constituency of National Assembly (NA-14) Kohat, former District Nazim Seth Gohar Saif Ullah JUI(F), Former District Nazim Engineer Malik Muhammad Asad PML(N), Pir Dilawar Shah PPP, Khurshid Begum Saaed ANP, Qari Maulana Obaid Ullah Haidri MDM, Shehryar Afridi PTI, Muhammad Asif Bangash TTP,Sahibzada Pir Faheem JI, Muhammad Nawaz Bangash PMAP, Najeeb Durrani QWP, Najoomi Qadir Khan (Kabab Ferosh)MQM, and three independent candidates Malik Shamim Afridi, Dr. Ihsan and Nazia Zulfiqar will contest the general election 2013. Seth Gohar Saif Ullah candidate of JUI (F) is the son late Seth Saif Ullah, who was a well known social and political fihure of the area. His son is a young and energetic politician of the area and remained the District Nazim of Kohat earlier. 
On the other hand all the Religious Scholars (Ulamas), Taliban of Deeni Madaris, former Nazims and councilors of 32 Union Councils are also supporting him.
Thus the candidate of PML (N) from NA-14 Kohat, Engineer Malik Muhammad Asad has performed as District Nazim Kohat. He is highly educated and belongs to a notable family. He is the brother of late Malik Muhammad Saad (Shaheed) DIG Police and cousin of Malik Naveed Ex IGP. Engineer Asad is considered to be a very honest and good administrator. He has played a vital role in the establishment of BISE Kohat and Kohat University of Science & Technology (KUST). With this, Ex Minister for Law, a great leader of PML (N) Iftikahr Gillani, and the District leadership of PML (N), MSF President Rabeel, Vice President Ihtisham ullah Bangash will not leave him alone. The candidate of PTI PK38-II (Kohat), Shehryar Afridi is the son of Nadir Shah Afridi, ex MNA of PML(N). He is a well educated and a talkative young person. 
Earlier, he was with PML (Q) during Pervez Musharaf Ex-President and now he has to contest the forthcoming election under PTI flag. He has vote bank of youngsters but due to influences and vote bank of Engiineer Malik Asad and Gohar SiafUllah may cause to make it critical for Shehryar of PTI to get an easy win. Similarly, Khursheed Begum Saeed of ANP is also competing in equal lines with the other parties. For the first time a female candidate from kohat is contesting election. She had been MNA on reserve seat of women.
Establishment of Modern Bacha Khan Library in Company Bagh Kohat and construction of Kohat Press Club are also her achievements. However, owing to failure of provincial government of ANP, internal contradiction, rampant terror attacks on ANP election campaign are to effect her political activities but she is hopeful that people keeping in mind developmental project will be rewarded her in the shape of votes. Pir Dilawar Shah has resigned from ANP and now he is to contest election of national assembly from PPP. 
He is the claimer of doing many developmental works including construction of Khushal Garh Bridge mega project in Kohat during his previous regime. On the other side, in PK-38-II (Kohat) former provincial minister and Divisional President Syed Qalb e Hassan, candidate of PPP is also expecting his well wishers to vote for him. Thus a strong independent candidate Malik Shamim Afridi is also facing the election, who, no doubt, irrespective of the constituency PK-37-I (Kohat) also completed various projects of gas supplies, electricity, water supply schemes and establishment of Male/Female Degree colleges in PK-38-II(Kohat. In addition to it, by the efforts of Senator Abbas Afridi, construction of Oil Refinery in District Kohat with the expenditure of 700 million dollars will provide a helping hand to the mentioned candidate i-e Shamim Afridi. 
Besides establishment of Sweet Homes for orphans and a handsome grant of Rs.30000000/- to the hospitals of Kohat, is a big achievement of Senator Abbas and due to above stated reasons, Malik Shamim Afridi has to get credit of the achievement of his sons, is poseed to contest general election 2013 as independent candidate. Qari Obaid KUllah Haideri MDM, is also in the electoral field for the second time and expecting votes from SSP, Ishaat-i-Tauheed wa Sunnah, JUI Nazriati group, JUI(S). Pir Faheem of JI under the party policy, Muhammad Asif Bangash TTP (the nascent politically party) and independent candidates Nazia Zulfiqar, Dr. Ihsan, Badshah Gul and Sher Rehman will contest the election of national assembly from Kohat, whereas the candidate of MQM Najoomi Qadeer Khan is a marvelous incident. All the candidate are in action and stepped up their election campaigns by attending public masses, coroner meetings, executing motor cycles and cars rallies to show their political support. Let see what happens on the poll day of 11th May 2013 and who will be the winner.

Kohat remote controlled blast at election office kills five

Source The News

At least five persons were killed and 21 wounded in an explosion at an election office at Kacha Pucca located on Orakzai Agency-Kohat border on Sunday morning, Geo News reported.

Police said that the explosion occurred at the joint-office of an independent election candidate for NA-39, Syed Noor Akbar from Orakzai Agency and ANP candidate for Kohat NA-14, Khurshid Begum. Both the candidates remained safe in the explosion.

DSP Mushtaque Hussain said that the blast was a result of a remote controlled explosion containing ten-kilogram explosives.

Following the blast, security forces immediately sealed the Kohat-Hangu Road and started search operation.

Constituency Analysis - Kohat Division

Source Pakistan Today

The political atmosphere of the Kohat division is strikingly different from that of Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan (DIK) due to internal conflict within the ranks of a few political parties. Not a single political force can presently claim to be holding a strong position in all the three Kohat districts, while political observers are certain that a hung parliament at the provincial level is a real possibility.

The ANP had won two out of three NA seats in 2008 general elections while one went to the JUI-F. However, the ANP had failed in securing a single provincial assembly seat out of seven. Afterwards the ANP leadership succeeded in mustering the support of two independent candidates to stabilize their position. The JUI-F had won three seats after merging into the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) while one went to the PPP- Sherpao, recently renamed as Qaumi Watan Party (QWP). One independent candidate, who later joined the PPP, was also given an attractive ministerial slot in the previous government.

Ironically, since March 2008 up till March 2013, two independent candidates who were given cabinet position for five years have now ditched the ANP. One of them belonged to Karak and the other to Kohat; presently both are again in the fray as independents.

The JUI-F has been extensively dealing with internal revolts and opposition in its Karak stronghold from where it had won one NA and one PA seat apiece. Former JUI-F MPA Malik Qasim is contesting as independent after the party ticket went to Ayub Khattak. Son of late PML leader Yousaf Khattak, Ayub Khattak is a cousin of the Saifullahs from Lakki Marwat. The JUI-F has also fielded another Khattak, Javed, on the other PA constituency. In addition, the party also replaced former MNA Mufti Ajmal with Mufti Sardar on NA seat, thus inviting rifts and revolts to negatively influence party ranks.

And it is in Kohat that the JUI-F had fielded billionaires on both NA and PA seats by ignoring the party’s diehard and ideological stalwarts. At Hangu, the JUI-F nominated two of its old guns on the NA and PA seats, but also awarded a ticket to former MPA, who contested the 2002 general elections under the banner of ANP and in 2008 general election remained attached to now defunct PPP-S.

A cursory glance at the situation reflects that the JUI-F curse seems to have affected other political parties as well, including the PTI and the ANP, with both these parties facing strife in Kohat and Karak. Former Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director General Masood Sharif Khattak, along with several other notables recently resigned from the PTI, and were now contesting as independents are challenging the PTI candidates.

The ongoing internal feuds notwithstanding, the JUI-F was still a strong force and its candidates have confidently challenged their counterparts from the PML-N on all three constituencies in Karak. The overconfidence of some candidates could be gauged from the fact that former minister Mian Nisar Gul was already being congratulated for completing a hat-trick by winning the PA constituency.

Hangu has been termed as the most sensitive due to the presence of thousands of foreign and local militants in the adjacent tribal agencies of Aurakzai and North Waziristan, while its sectarian balance is also one of the most fragile in the region. Most of the recent terrorist activities in KPK either emanated or took place here, while this also remains an important corridor for three tribal agencies that open into the settled areas. Though in the recent past, ANP and JUI-F have remained strong rivals in this district, this time round the ANP seems better positioned as other religious groups like JUI-S and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) were also splitting the religious vote. The ANP candidate Pir Haider Ali Shah seemed to be leading the pack, while influential Senator Nabi Bangash’s son Irshad Nabi and former chief justice Peshawar High Court Justice (Retd) Ibne Ali was also contesting from the important constituencies.

The PPP meanwhile has maintained a good position in Kohat after bypassing all other parties and seems to have strengthened its position after its leadership succeeded in mustering support of former MNA Dilawar Shah and Syed Qalb-e Hassan. Dilawar has also got a PPP ticket for his brother. The PML-N’s strongman Malik Asad, previously the district nazim, is in contest with Dilawar. The ANP’s NA ticket has gone to its former MNA, Khurshid Begum. The independent group candidates headed by former provincial minister Amjad Afridi was showing a favourable tilt towards the PML-N.

The trends being witnessed among the religious minded electorate in Hangu, Kohat and Karak districts showed division of loyalties between three parties. Both factions of the JUI-F and JI have put up their candidates in all constituencies across Kohat Division, while some JUI-F dissidents would also be contesting as independent candidates. With an eye on taking advantage of divisions within the religious, the PML-N, PPP, PTI and the ANP are keeping a close watch on the situation. - 

Foolproof security in Kohat on polling day

Source Dawn

The provincial government will provide foolproof security at the most sensitive polling stations in Kohat division so as to ensure peaceful polling in May 11 elections.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting here on Tuesday chaired by the provincial Caretaker Home Minister Fayyaz Khan Toru.

The meeting was also attended by the Inspector General of Police, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ehsan Ghani, secretary interior, Commissioner, Kohat division, Syed Jamaluddin Shah, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kohat region, Azad Khan, DIG, special branch, Ishtiaq Marwat and officials from Orakzai and Kurram agencies.

The meeting reviewed security arrangements for deployment of security forces at the most sensitive polling stations in Kohat
division.

The meeting was informed that out of a total of 373 polling stations in Kohat, 76 had been declared most sensitive, 134 sensitive whereas 163 normal. In Hangu district, 57 polling stations had been declared highly sensitive and 67 as sensitive.

The meeting was informed that the list of these polling stations would be signed by the district and sessions judge, who is also the district returning officer, and then dispatched to the Election Commission and higher authorities for deployment of security forces.

Similarly, the meeting was told that there were hundreds of polling stations which had been declared most sensitive and sensitive in Orakzai and Kurram agencies.

The meeting also decided to hire services of retired army and police officers for the security of the polling stations.

The Home Minister Fayyaz Khan Toru and the IGP Ehsan Ghani directed the Kohat division administrations to take all necessary measures to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in the region.

Meanwhile, official sources confided to Dawn that army personnel, frontier constabulary, police commandos  Frontier Corps and volunteers from district defense would be deployed at the most sensitive and sensitive polling stations.

N activist joins JUP candidate in Kohat

Source Dawn

The office-bearers of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in PK-37 constituency have decided to support the candidate of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl in the upcoming general elections.

The president of PML-N in PK- 37 constituency, Farhad Khan alias Ghareeb Dost, general secretary Faiz Mohammad and other office-bearers withdrew their support form their party’s nominee Hidayatullah Afridi and announced to support the candidate of JUI-F.

However, they said that they didn’t quit PML-N. They said that they were not supporting their party’s nominee because he was a supporter of Gen (retired) Pervez Musharraf. The party awarded ticket to him despite the fact that he was a supporter of Pervez Musharraf, they added.

They announced to support JUI-F candidate for provincial assembly Ghulam Habib and PML-N candidate for National Assembly Eng Malik Asad in the upcoming general elections.

Meanwhile, a youth organisation, formed to create awareness among young people about voting, has demanded excess to information and elimination of corruption.

Addressing a seminar, the coordinator of ‘Change Through Empowerment’ said that people should know as to who among the candidates was able to get rights for them and uproot corruption.

He said that youth under 16 years of age should be provided free and modern education. The government should also take measures to bring basic changes in the system of tax collection to benefit the poor.

He said that programmes should be organised in all constituencies at the union council level to create awareness among people so that they could vote for noble and deserving candidates.

Amjad vows to transform Kohat into model city

Source Frontier Post

Addressing to a huge public crowd at Tanki Ground Sangerh Kohat on the occasion of opening ceremony of Election Campaign Office, Independent Candidates for NA-Haji Shamim Afridi, Amjad Afridi for PK37-I and PK38-II Kohat (Independent Electoral Penal) for General Election 2013, Haji Shamim Afridi quoted that "both my sons Amjad Afridi former Housing Minister (KPK) and Senator Abbas Afridi served the people of Kohat city and urban area without any discrimination and that is negotiable for all the inhabitants of the constituency". 
Amjad Afridi mentioned in his speech that he had brought few developmental projects also for PK38-II and PK39-III in the last five years of regime such as WAPDA Works of 8 ½ crore, Gas Supply to 31 Villages of District Kohat and 23 Water Supply Schemes in his constituency which is unmatchable. Besides, in the Education Sector, establishment of Degree College
Gumabat and Degree College Billit Tang for the youth of the area to get education at their door step is one of the live example. 
He added that if I am elected again by the people, will do more and more for the uplift of District Kohat. Senator Abbas Afridi said on the occasion that an Oil Refinery has been approved to be installed with the cost of 700 million dollars in the jurisdiction of Kohat. With this thousands of unemployed people of District Kohat will get job thus economic growth could be improved. 
The candidates of Independent Electoral Penal emphasized the people to elect them and get the Kohat a Model City.

Billionaires in run for Kohat NA seat

Source Dawn

Three billionaires are vying for the sole National Assembly seat of Kohat (NA-14) and one of the candidates is said to have bought vehicles worth Rs50 million for running his campaign during coming general election.

The three candidates are Seth Gohar Saifullah of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F), who is a known business tycoon of Karachi; Engineer Malik Asad of PML-N, former Kohat district nazim; and Shamim Afridi, who remained a business partner of late Akbar Khan Bugti. Mr Shamim’s son Senator Abbas Afridi remained state minister for Safron, while his other son Amjid Afridi was a provincial minister in the ANP-led government.

Sources told this correspondent that Afridis had bought double cabin pickups worth Rs50 million for electioneering. They claimed that Afridis had also distributed money and laptop computers among media persons and provided Rs200,000 camera to the local information department for coverage of their election campaign. Besides, they have been spending heavily on advertisement campaign.

Mr Shamim had not applied for ticket of any party and was likely to contest election as independent candidate.

Mr Asad of PML-N is so far considered the favorite candidate for the seat because of his good track record as nazim. He had also been spending millions of rupees on his election campaigns. He was considered a winning candidate in 2008 general election, but was defeated after he refused to contest election on the PPP ticket.

The third candidate is Mr Saifullah whose father was a billionaire. He knows how to spend money, but is relying much on the votes of religious people for being candidate of the JUI-F. He also remained Kohat district nazim. — Correspondent

Most scattered constituency: Militancy, and many a mile to cover

Source Express Tribune

NA-47, comprising six Frontier Regions (FRs), is one of the most interesting constituencies of the National Assembly.

With FR Peshawar, FR Kohat (Darra Adam Khel), FR Bannu, FR Lakki Marwat, FR DI Khan and FR Tank all falling within its realms, it is also perhaps the most geographically scattered constituency.

FR Lakki Marwat touches Balochistan, while FR Peshawar reaches Nizampur.

Kohat is the largest Frontier region as far as the number of votes, estimated at around 42,000, is concerned. It is followed by FR Peshawar, with 23,000 votes, FR DI Khan with 18,000 votes, FR Tank with 21,000 votes, and FR Bannu and FR Lakki Marwat with 9,000 votes each. The number of total registered voters in these areas is around 118,000.

Women are not allowed to vote in four of the FR regions – Lakki, Bannu, Tank and DI Khan. Fortunately, women will be able to make trips to the ballot box in both FR Kohat and Peshawar, owing to higher literary rates in these areas.

The most dangerous FR is undoubtedly Tank, which brims with militancy issues. Its town Jandola is considered a hub for militants, located right next to the Waziristan region.

Similarly, FR Kohat is not only the birthplace of the Darra Adam Khel chapter of the Tehreek-i-Taliban, but also its pro-government offshoot, the Momin group. Additionally, FR Peshawar is also ripe with instances of terrorism. Only recently, militants kidnapped and killed 21 Levies personnel there.

A tribal elder from Darra Adam Khel, Malik Hassan Gul, said it was very difficult to conduct election campaigns in many of these far-flung areas. He argued that presence of militants, especially in FR Tank, turned these areas into no-go zones, which is why the army should be deployed during the polling.

“[Even] under normal circumstances, several days are required to reach voters in these areas. However, with the worsening law and order situation, this task has become very difficult for candidates,” he said, adding that the situation was comparatively better in parts like FR Peshawar.

Conversely, Haji Baaz Gul Afridi, a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate for NA-47, said that militants had not interfered with polling in the past and the situation was expected to remain the same during the forthcoming elections.

“I have been visiting these areas and we have had no problem so far,” he said. “However, precautionary steps should be taken to make the security foolproof.”

He added that a negative issue affecting candidates was that many local residents have abandoned their ancestral towns due to the law and order situation. These people are now spread across the country.

An independent candidate from FR Peshawar, Malik Daud Khan Afridi, said that at least 25 people had submitted nomination papers. He also said it was unfortunate that the returning officer was now stationed in FR Bannu, whereas in the past, the office of the returning officer was in Kohat city, convenient for most people.

Like Haji Baaz, Malik was also optimistic about the security situation during electioneering.

“The governor wrote a letter to the political administrations of Fata to meet the candidates and representatives of political parties on a monthly basis. This way, security could be provided in the case of public rallies,” he said.

And yet, the electioneering has not started, he said.

“Despite the fact that political parties are allowed to work in Fata, the political tradition is not very strong. Due to this, the political parties are searching for influential and stable candidates to issue them party tickets,” he said. “Once their nomination papers are approved by the election commission, the candidates will kick-start the campaigns.”

According to Malik, this time around, the system has certainly become more refined.

“In the past, there were more voters in the FRs. Now, the commission has banned the dual votes system, so the overall number of votes has decreased. This is a welcome development as it saves from double-counting and makes the voting more efficient,” he said.

Furthermore, he claimed that the Army had been deployed in most of the FRs, so the security situation was no longer a big concern.

In this vein, an official in FR Peshawar also said security was not a real challenge. He remained confident that the deployment of the Army and the paramilitary forces would keep the overall situation in these regions very similar to that of the rest of Pakistan.

Kohat: Electoral success hinges on changing political landscape

Source Express Tribune

Kohat district is one of the toughest electoral battlegrounds where all parties will flex their political muscle for the three provincial assembly seats and one national assembly seat.

NA-14

Even though Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have agreed to an electoral partnership across K-P, party leaders are likely to face difficult negotiations in Kohat as both Engineer Malik Asad (PML-N) and Gohar Saifullah (JUI-F) are strong candidates in the region.

Previously, Javaid Ibrahim Paracha was a formidable ticket holder for the PML-N in NA-14. However, being retired, he decided not to contest. Asad, who left PPP after developing differences with former prime minister Benazir Bhutto before her assassination, contested the 2008 elections as an independent and later joined PML-N.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have nominated Pir Dilawar Shah, a former Awami National Party (ANP) MNA, who recently joined the party. Shah’s position in the area, however, is not very strong.  The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI)  have nominated Pir Fahim, who is considered to be a weak candidate, while Sheryar Afridi and Afzal Khan Shinwari will be standing for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

It seems the PTI will have a strong chance given the fact that it has two candidates. However, the fight for the constituency will come down to PML-N and JUI-F candidates, the strongest in NA-14.

Shamim Afridi has been given an ANP ticket and Syed Iftikhar Hussain Gillani, a PML-N activist, will contest as an independent.

In 2008, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was represented by the late Shahid Khan Afridi. This year, no one is willing to stand for the MQM in the polls.

The situation is difficult to predict in the constituency as both JUI-F and PML-N candidates have a sufficient vote bank to win the election. Ironically, ANP, which won most of the seats from Kohat in 2008, has been unable to find a suitable candidate.

PK-37

In the 2008 general elections, Amjad Khan Afridi was elected from PK-38 as an independent candidate even though he was a member of the Awami National Party (ANP). The ANP, however, did not give him a party ticket and instead chose to support Shaukat Habib.

In his show of loyalty to the ANP, Amjad gifted the seat to ANP and was awarded the portfolio of ministry for housing. Nawabzada Aurangzeb Alam Khan, who contested from PK-37 also as an independent candidate, ended up in second place and later joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in 2012. He will contest from the same constituency in the general elections.

Shaukat Habib parted ways with the ANP and joined the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) in 2012 along with his father Al-Haj Ghulam Habib. Al-Haj will contest the PK-37 seat on a JUI-F ticket.

Former provincial minister for jails Hidayatullah Afridi will contest on a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ticket while Malik Iqbal Awan on a Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) ticket.

None of the PPP members applied for a party ticket in PK-37. Eyeing an opportunity, Muhammad Tariq recently joined the party and applied for one. Though it is likely Tariq will be awarded the ticket, his strength as a candidate will be limited in the wake of other contestants from PTI, JUI-F, and Amjad Afridi.

Considering the changing alliances and chosen candidates, ANP’s Amjad Afridi is a strong candidate in the contest for PK-37. Amjad, as previously, will contest the elections as an independent candidate as part of his strategy to triumph over other contesters.

Votes for Hidayatullah Afridi’s and Amjad Afridi will be distributed between the two due to family ties, while the vote banks of Ghulam Habib and Muhammad Tariq will be negatively affected because they hail from the same village.

This puts PTI’s Nawabzada Aurangzeb in a position of strength, considering he was the runner up in the 2008 general elections and just lost by 117 votes. Family rifts between JUI-F’s Shoukat and ANP’s Amjad Afridi will also favour PTI in gaining additional votes.

PK-38

The PK-38 constituency is distributed along sectarian lines and considering the spate of sectarian violence across the country, both Shias and Sunnis will push their candidates, along with the efforts of political parties to field their own candidates.

It is important to mention the PK-38 constituency has not been affected by any violence in recent months.

In the 2008 general elections, Syed Qalb-e-Hassan clinched the PK-38 seat on a PPP ticket. However, Hassan’s uncle and former Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Syed Ibn-e-Ali parted ways with the PPP and joined ANP; he will contest the election on the latter’s ticket.

The JUI-F has not decided its candidate for PK-38 yet. Earlier, there were indications that JUI-F district chief Maulana Abdul Hai would contest the election, but with the joining of former Nazim of Urban-V Dr Matiullah Shah from JI, JUI-F has found a strong candidate in Shah.

The JI will issue the ticket to Haji Muhammad Hamid Khan, while former ANP and now PTI member Shahbaz Gul will contest from the same constituency.

MPA Musarrat Shafi is expected to receive an ANP ticket for a reserved seat, while Advocate Masood and Syed Mohsin Shah are also seeking an ANP ticket.

Mohsin, who is MNA Khursheed Begum’s brother-in-law, could contest from PK-38 as an independent candidate, but because the ANP vote bank is unevenly divided, none of its candidates are likely to even end up as the runner-up.

PTI’s position is also weak because Shahbaz Gul is not socially active and is more of a businessman. The real battle remains among Qalb-e-Hassan, Ibn-e-Ali and Dr Matiullah Shah. Though the situation might be favourable for Hassan and Ali, the JUI-F’s candidate will have an advantage because the division of votes between the two due to family ties will leave room for the JUI-F candidate to maneuver through. Still, some political analysts say Hassan may emerge victorious.

PK-39

The 2008 general elections witnessed an interesting twist when Dr Iqbal Din, a JI member, was elected as MPA from PK-39, despite the fact that his party had boycotted the elections. Rifts surfaced between JI and Din, after which he received offer from JUI-F to join them. But he remained loyal to JI.

Just when JI’s district council was about to decide on another candidate for PK-39, Din’s name surfaced and was given a green signal from the party, making him one of the strongest candidates in the constituency.

JUI-F then finally decided to give the party ticket to Colonel (retd) Shadab Khan, son of the late former MPA Shad Muhammad Khan. Shad was elected as MPA twice from PK-39 as a candidate of the erstwhile Pakistan Peoples Party-Sherpao, now known as Qaumi Watan Party.

ANP, on the other hand, will be represented by Advocate Nisar Khan, while PTI’s candidate is Imtiaz Shahid Qureshi, who contested the 2008 polls as an independent candidate.

Pir Adil Shah, believed to be PML-N’s strongest candidate from PK-39, recently joined the PPP along with his brother Pir Dilawar Shah. Adil Shah’s original constituency was PK-38. However, having left that constituency to Qalb-e-Hassan, he has now decided to contest from 

Of the three strongest candidates – Adil Shah, Din and Shahid Qureshi – PTI seems to have an advantage in this constituency with support from the region’s youth.

Elders from FR Kohat threaten to move court against shifting of returning office to FR Bannu

Source Business Recorder

Elders from Frontier Region-Kohat on Tuesday warned that they would move the court against the shifting of district returning office from FR Kohat to Bannu. They asked the Election Commission of Pakistan and Supreme Court to take immediate notice against this illegal step, avoid pre-poll rigging in the elections. 

Speaking here at Press Club along with elders from five tribes of Dara-Adam Khel, from FR Kohat, Haji Malik Fida said that the shifting of district returning office from FR Kohat to Bannu as a matter of grave concern, which was taken without any prior notice and unspecified reasons. 

Flanked by Malik Noor Zaman, Haji Noor Sher Afridi, ex-MNA, Malik Haji Amanullah Khan and others, he viewed that the FR Kohat is more peaceful area as compared to FR Bannu, despite that the shifting of district returning office is totally out of context. He alleged the former provincial minister and candidate from constituency NA-47, Sher Azam Wazir is behind this unconstitutional act. He termed the step is a pre-poll rigging, demanding of the Election Commission of Pakistan to take immediate notice of it. We would not accept any individual step, which could undermine holding of free and fair election in the area, he warned. 

He informed that the total registered voters are 100,000 in the constituency NA-47 FR Kohat, adding that there is no security threats as security forces taking control of the area. We would take every possible step, to again shift the DRO in FR Bannu, he vowed. Our protest will continue till acceptance of demands, he vowed. 

Malik Noor Zaman said that the step is to be taken within a few hours, having any information to administration, assistance returning officer, and deputy commissioner about the decision. There was not also given information at Election Commission of Pakistan web portal, pertaining to such step, aimed at to undermine conducting of free and fair elections in the constituency, he maintained. 

He also said the FR Kohat division is a more peaceful against the FR Bannu. He said that the decision could not be in favour of masses, and holding of transparent elections; therefore, he said the interim government and Election Commission of Pakistan should take immediate notice against this illegal act, and ECP should also declare ex-provincial minister, Sher Azam Wazir, as disqualified, if he found guilty in this case. 

He warned if the interim government and ECP would not consider their demand, they would opt to move court against it. He further said that they would stage a sit-in outside the Governor House, and an organised agitation campaign against this unconstitutional step.