Daily Times

Once known for its state-of-the-art education and drainage systems, historic buildings, sweet water, and vibrant markets, Shikarpur has been a stronghold of the Pakistan Peoples Party.

This time, however, it seems that the PPP may face a tough contest on two national assembly seats – Shikarpur-Khanpur NA-198 and Ghari Yasin-Lakhi Ghulam Shah NA-199 – and three provincial assembly seats, PS-7, PS-8, and PS-9.

There are 596,972 registered voters (275,504 women and 321,468 men).

In NA-198, major contenders are Dr Muhammad Ibrahim Jatoi, an independent who has been a former MNA and is a chieftain of his tribe; Mir Abid Ali Bhayo, the PPP candidate; Maulana Abdullah Pahore, MMA candidate; and Sardar Wahid Bux Bhayo, formerly associated with the PPP who is now contesting as an independent.

Political pundits predict that the seat will witness a two-way race between Ibrahim Jatoi and PPP’s Ali Bhayo.

Importantly, Bhayo faces a court challenge against his nomination papers. An objection had been filed against Bhayo’s nomination papers on grounds that he was a dual nationality holder. An appellate tribunal in Sukkur rejected his nomination. Subsequently, he lodged an appeal against the decision. The decision on his appeal is scheduled to be announced on July 17 (today).

In NA-199, a tough contest is expected between Ghous Bux Khan Mahar, a former MNA fielded by the anti-PPP Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), and PPP’s Sardar Zulfikar Ali Kamario.

In PS-7, PPP has fielded Imtiaz Ahmed Sheikh, a former bureaucrat; disgruntled PPP leader Agha Taimoor Khan Pathan is contesting on the GDA’s ticket; Syed Waliullah Shah Amroti is contesting on the MMA’s ticket;

The contest for PS-8 is between Ameer Ali Jatoi, an independent candidate; Sardar Moeen Khan Pahore, PPP ticket holder; Shaharyar Khan Mahar, the GDA candidate; and Maulvi Abdullah Mahar, MMA’s candidate.

In the third provincial assembly seat (PS-9), Agha Siraj Khan Durrani is the PPP candidate, Syed Rushudullah Shah Amroti is MMA’s candidate, and Agha Imtiaz Babar is contesting on the PTI’s ticket.

The influential Sumra family is not a part of any of the electoral races this. In the past, it has extended support to the PPP candidates but this time there are reports about their differences with the PPP leadership. An overview of the district suggests that there are civic infrastructure, particularly in the healthcare sector, is quite poor. The district also faces prolonged power and gas outages.

Published in Daily Times, July 17^th 2018.