Khattaks Pose Tough Challenge To Qazis, Kakakhels In NA-26 Nowshera-2

Following completion of tough phase of scrutiny of the nomination papers for 2018 elections, electioneering is gaining momentum in Nowshera district where tough electoral contest is expected among influential Khattaks, Kakakhel and Qazi families on politically fertile NA-26 Nowshera-11 constituency.

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Jun, 2018 ) :Following completion of tough phase of scrutiny of the nomination papers for 2018 elections, electioneering is gaining momentum in Nowshera district where tough electoral contest is expected among influential Khattaks, Kakakhel and Qazi families on politically fertile NA-26 Nowshera-11 constituency.

Pakistan Tahrik-e-Insaf and Awami National Party have again fielded strong candidates from famous Khattak tribe, who are giving tough time to Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) candidates.

Both Khattaks, PTI candidate former MNA and son-in-law of ex Chief Minister, Dr Imran Khan Khattak and ANP's new entrant Jamal Khan Khattak are contesting against MMA's Luqman Qazi, son of former Jummat-e-Islami Amir and MNA, late Qazi Hussain Ahmed, PPP's Mian Feroz Jamal Shah Kakakhel, son of late Minister, Mian Jamal Shah Kakakhel and PMLN Nawab Khan and close electoral fight is expected on July 25.

Dr Imran Khattak is believed to be the strong candidate on NA-26 (previously known as NA-5) as he was enjoying the support of his father-in-law and former Chief Minister Pervez Khattak who had never lost elections on the provincial assembly constituency PK-64 since 1988.

Pervez Khattak had easily won NA-26 viz-a-viz PK 64 (previous known as PK 13) seats during last general election and retained PK-64 seat by becoming the Chief Minister of KP. Pervez Khattak is also contesting 2018 election from NA-25 and PK-64 Nowshera and ultimately his presence will favour Dr Imran Khattak.

In the by-election on NA 26, Dr Imran Khattak surprised his critics when he easily clinched victory against former District Nazim, Daud Khan Khattak and become member of the national assembly on ticket of PTI.

PPP's Barrister Feroz Jamal Shah Kakakhel is also being considered a strong candidate as his father late Mian Jamal Shah Kakakhel have made record developmental works in this constituency being a cabinet members besides PPP has a sufficient vote bank in NA-26.

Moreover, Kakakhel is enjoying the support of former Senator Sardar Ali Khan, former Excise and Taxation Minister, Laiqat Shabab, former District Nazim Nowshera, Dr Daud Khattak and others PPP stalwarts.

Although ANP has fielded a new entrant Jamal Khan Khattak but he belongs to a strong political family and can supervise many because of huge vote bank in the constituency as evident from past election results. He is being supported by former KP Minister for Information, Mian Iftikhar Hussain who is himself contesting from PK-65 Nowshera.

Jumat-e-Islami through MMA platform awarded ticket again to Asif Luqman Qazi, son of Qazi Hussain Ahmed and expected to win peoples confidence against his political rivals as his father won this constituency in 2002 general election easily.

History revealed that this national assembly constituency comprising PK-64 and PK-65 was won both by candidates whether belongs to secular or Islamic parties and no political party could claim to have strong and permanent hold over electorates.

Up-to 1997, this constituency was called NA-4 and was won by senior politician including former Interior Minister and PPP stalwart late Maj Gen Retd Naseerullah Khan Babar, ANP's former President and Ghazal Pushto maestro Ajmal Khattak, former JI Chief late Qazi Hussain Ahmed and Maulana Abdul Haq.

Due to delimitations, Nowshera was given NA-25 and NA-26 Constituencies. In 1988 general election, the constituency was won by Mian Muzzafar Shah on PPP ticket by securing 27902 votes against ANP's Ahrar Khattak 27817 votes by a close margin of only 85 votes.

Similarly, in 1990 elections, the ANP again awarded party ticket to Ajmal Khattak who easily won by securing 38,389 votes against Peoples Democratic Alliance joint candidate Pervez Khattak with 25,722 votes while JUI-F Sher Ali Shah bagged only 13961 votes.

In 1993 elections, PPP changed the old candidates and awarded party ticket to former Interior Minister Lt Gen (Retd) Naseerullah Babar who won it by securing 36116 votes against Ajmal Khattak's 30020 votes and Pakistan Islami Front Mirajuddin Khan bagged 15896 votes while winner of 1988 election Mian Muzaffar Shah contested as independent.

In 1997, ANP had fielded a new candidate Wali Muhammad Khan who grabbed 43511 votes and defeated Naseerullah Khan Babar who obtained 22,213 votes and Pakistan Tahrik e Insaf which had jumped into political arena for the first time had awarded party ticket to Umar Khan Yusafzai who secured only 3022 votes.

In 2002 elections, MMA had given surprise to all political pundits by grabbing majority seats in this province. JI former Ameer Qazi Hussain Ahmed had secured victory from here by obtaining 40,879 votes against Naseerullah Khan Babar 22,189 votes and ANP Mian Rashid 11944 votes.

In 2008 general election, this constituency was clinched by PPP's Engr Tariq Khattak while in 2013 general election, former Chief Minister KP, Pevez Khattak on ticket of PTI secured victory from here.

The constituency is mostly consisted of rural and urban areas where literacy ratio is very high as majority of people are associated with agriculture besides serving in foreign countries and Govt jobs. The problems of NA-26 are diverse including persistent floods' threats, unplanned urbanization, unemployment, water and environmental pollution, long hours load-shedding, poor solid waste management, deteriorated roads and lack of fields to market access roads, overloaded transformers that need to be addressed.

Any candidate who presented solid programs for redressal of these issues would get a guaranteed victory in 2018 General Elections.

The area landlords and Khans have a great influence over their tenants and candidate who grabbed their support would win this seat. The 'Biradri' system is relatively strong in the constituency and the candidates who succeed in winning the support of veteran politicians and Baradaris will easily get through the elections.