Daily Times

LARKANA: A contest to dominate two national and four provincial assembly seats of Larkana has raised political temperature in the district more than ever as the country faces ‘crucial’ general elections-2018.

Knowing that a long journey is ahead of him, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is taking part in the general elections for the first time against Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) candidate Rashid Mahmood Soomro for NA-200 (Larkana-I), a newly-created constituency for the National Assembly of Pakistan, which mainly includes the Ratodero Taluka and some areas of the Larkana Taluka.

During electioneering, the leaders of Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), Larkana Awami Ittehad (LAI) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) actively supported Soomro while persuading the general public of Larkana to vote him.

Meanwhile, the PPP candidate for NA-201 Khursheed Ahmed Junejo is contesting against GDA candidate Dado Allah Bux Unar and PTI candidate Quratul Ain Unar.

Election material including ballot boxes, seals, polling booths, ink, ballot papers and other necessary items were delivered to the polling stations in Larkana amid strict security measures and deployment of police and armed forces personnel.

Furthermore, the PPP leader and sister of PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Faryal Talpur is facing a stiff contest against PTI candidate Ameer Bux Bhutto for PS-10 (Larkana-I), son of former Sindh chief minister and veteran politician Mumtaz Ali Bhutto, and supported by GDA and LAI.

After Nisar Ahmed Khuhro was disqualified, PPP awarded party ticket to his daughter Nida Khuhro for PS-11(Larkana-II), who is fighting against a strong candidate of GDA, Moazim Ali Abbasi, son of former PPP MPA Haji Munawar Ali Abbasi backed by LAI.

He parted ways with PPP when he considered that his family was being neglected by PPP after the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Moreover, former home minister Sohail Anwar Siyal is fighting against GDA candidate Syed Akbar Shah Rashdi for PS-12 (Larkana-III).

Former MNA and PPP candidate for PS-13 (Larkana-IV) Hizbullah Bughio is contesting against GDA-backed Adil Altaf Unar, PTI’s Shafqat Hussain Unar and an independent candidate Liaquat Mirani.

A tough and interesting competition is expected between political bigwigs of Larkana where Bilawal being the only son of Benazir Bhutto is contesting against Rashid Mahmood Soomro, son of Dr Khalid Mahmood Soomro, the influential politician in Larkana who was assassinated.

Soomro held door-to-door election campaign, but Bilawal had been unable to meet the residents of Naundero and Larkana.

After being declared absconders by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in a money laundering case, her position has been affected.

However, she has been conducting public meetings for the first time.

As many as 703,255 registered voters are expected to cast their votes for six seats of Larkana on Wednesday (today) including 286,923 female and 384,549 male.

Published in Daily Times, July 25^th 2018.