PESHAWAR: There is a general impression in the politics of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that the road to the CM’s house passes via Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Charsadda and Nowshera. This road is the connecting belt that has millions of lifelines attached and they are linked with trust. The decision at the seat matter and it affects humans who look up to the man who holds their fate in his hands.
The voters of the central KP elect 33 MPs of the total 115. According to the 2023 census, one-fourth — 13 million — of the province’s 40.85m inhabitants are living in central KP.
The central KP elected MMA alliance in 2002 while the people voted Awami National Party (ANP) in 2008. However, in 2013, the people of central KP sent candidates of PTI to the provincial and national assemblies. In a rare development, the region also defied its own political norms and reelected PTI in 2018.
Experts said that no one can ignore the significance of central KP in Pakistan as saying that prominent political families including Bilours, Walis and Sherpaos of Charsadda, and the Hotis of Mardan all call the region their home.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Elections 2024
PTI-Parliamentarians, ANP, JUI-F, JI, QWP, PML-N and PPP are taking part in the elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the battle intensifies with each passing hour.
Key Contests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
NA-28 PESHAWAR: A tough contest is expected between ANP’s Mohammad Fayyaz Khan, JUI-F’s Noor Alam Khan, Sajid Nawaz, and PPP Kiramatullah Chagarmati on NA-28 Peshawar. Noor Alam twice won the seat in 2008 and 2018, respectively, while in 2013, Sajid Nawaz won the seat.
NA-31 PESHAWAR: PPP Arbab Alamgir Khan Khalil, Sher Ali Arbab, ANP Syed Haroon Shah, and JUI-F’s Mohammad Saeed Jan are taking part in election on NA-31 Peshawar.
NA-32 PESHAWAR: Previously NA-1, used to be declared ANP’s safe and sound constituency with Ghulam Ahmed Bilour winning the seat many times except 2018. Bilour will face Asif Khan, PPP’s Abidullah Khan and JUI-F’s Hussain Ahmed Madani.
NA-33 NOWSHERA: Former Chief Minister of KP, Pervez Khattak is contesting against ANP’s Khan Pervez, Syed Ahad Ali Shah, PPP Saleemullah Khan, JI’s Inayatur Rehman and JUI-F’s Ijazul Haq.
SWABI: Former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser is contesting the election as an independent candidate on NA-19, Swabi-I. He is facing ANP Akhundzada Shahnawaz, JUI-F’s Maulana Fazal Ali, and PPP Mohammad Bilal Khan Sherpao.
NA-20, SWABI-II: The election on NA-20, Swabi-II, will be an interesting race, mainly due to the rifts in the Tarakai family. Usman Khan Tarakai is contesting on PPP’s ticket against his nephew Shahram Khan Tarakai. Earlier, Usman defeated ANP leader Asfandyar Wali Khan.
Mardan: In NA-22, Mardan-II former Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti is facing former provincial minister Atif Khan and JUI-F’s Niyaz Ali. Similarly, on NA-23, Mardan-III, former minister Ali Mohammad Kha is up against Ahmed Khan Bahadur of ANP and JUI-F’s Kaleem Khan Toru as main rivals.
Charsadda: On NA-24, CharsaddaI, QWP leade Sherpao, is contesting the polls following having previously won the seat in 2002, 2008 and 2013 elections. From NA-25, Charsadda-II, ANP’s leader Aimal Wali Khan will again face Fazal, besides JUI-F’s Maulana Gohar Shah, PPP’s Aftab Alam and QWP’s Qaiser Jamal.
