FAISALABAD: The industrial hub of Pakistan Faisalabad is once again witnessing tough contests in 2024 elections between political rivals. Known as Manchester of Pakistan – the city is generally dominated by Rajpoot, Jutt, Arain, Gujjar, Ansari, Baloch bradaris with some other clans settled here since long.
Besides having their strong base, these candidates of Faisalabad own the tickets of major political parties like Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples’ Party with some candidates contesting as independents and claiming to be supported by PTI, APP reported.
Future pledges and hopes like always are also in the heart of election drive with PML-N ensuring to putting the nation on strong economic footing and PPP promising employments, salaries raise and grassroots development.
As electioneering gained momentum in the region with a public gathering by Bilawal Bhutto, it culminated with the address of PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif’s to a public gathering on Feb. 02 with political pundits foreseeing tough competition ahead.
Manchester of Pakistan
With the Feb 08 elections zeroing in, the candidates from major political parties and the independents are conscientiously wooing voters by arranging public gatherings and meetings.
Housing over 8 million populace, 5,297,899 Faisalabad voters including 2,841,085 men and 2,456,814 women would be voting to elect ten MNAs and twenty MPAs out of 277 and 574 candidates contesting polls respectively for National and Provincial Assembly seats.
Political figures including Rana Sanaullah Khan, Haji Akram Ansari, Abid Sher Ali, Hafiz Mumtaz Ahmad, Hamayun Akhtar Khan, Rana Farooq Saeed Khan, Ali Afzal Sahi, Mina Irfan Mannan, Shahbaz Babar, Arif Gill, Ali Gohar Baloch and Saadullah Baloch from top known Bradaris of the district are taking part in the elections.
Rana Sanaullah Khan will be facing his political rival Dr Nisar Ahmed in NA-100. Sidra Saeed is also contesting in this constituency on ticket of PPP. Another key contest is in NA-97 where IPP stalwart Hamayun Akhtar Khan would be facing Ali Gohar of PML-N.
The third main contest is expected in NA-102 where Abid Sher Ali would be contesting against independent candidate Changaiz Khan Kakar and Rana Naeem of Pakistan Peoples Party.
Former Opposition Leader in National Assembly Raja Riaz Ahmad has announced to not take part in elections while his son Danyal Ahmad would be contesting election on PML-N ticket from NA-104 against JI candidate Rana Sikandar Azam and an independent candidate Hamid Raza.
In NA-103, PML-N’s Haji Akram Ansari is trying his luck against Ali Sarfaraz, the son of ex-minister Mian Zahid Sarfraz. Former lawmaker Sheikh Khurram is also contesting as an independent candidate from this seat.
PPP Rana Farooq Saeed would also be facing PML-N’s Shahbaz Babar and an independent candidate Hafiz Mumtaz in NA-98.
Ex-Speaker Punjab Assembly Muhammad Afzal Sahi has also fielded his son Ali Afzal Sahi as independent candidate against PML-N’s Azad Ali Tabasum from NA-95.
PML-N’s Talal Chaudhary has announced to retire in favor of Malik Nawab Sher Waseer as PML-N candidate on NA-96. Independent candidate Rai Haider Khan Kharl and Rai Shah Jehan of PPP are also contesting from this seat.
In NA 99, former Minister Malik Umar Farooq is contesting election as an independent candidate to face Muhammad Qasim Farooq of PML-N and PPP’s Neha Javed.
Irfan Manan of PML-N, M Afzal of PPP and independents Maj Gen ® Akram Sahi and Rana Atif are contesting on NA-101.
Former provincial ministers Latif Nazar and Khayal Ahmad Kastro are also contesting from different constituencies as independent candidates in Faisalabad. Faisalabadites express hope to see an interesting race on February 08.
