Peshawar (October 25, 2017): The big contest of NA-4 by-elections will be held tomorrow as a tough fight is expected between the ruling Pakistan Tehreen-e-Insaf and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidates.
The by-election is considered as litmus test of the ruling PTI and its government over 4-year performance in theprovince.
All arrangements for the elections have been finalized. Deputy Commissioner Peshawar has banned brandishing and display of arms and rallies in the constituency by imposing Sec-144. Pilling riding and assembly of more than four people have also been banned.
The seat has fallen vacant after the death of PTI MNA Gulzar Khan.
Analysts said that the NA-4 Peshawar is for the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) what NA-120 Lahore was for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in last month’s by-election.
Victory in the by-election would be a verdict on its four-year rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and losing the election would not only be demoralising but would also give a boost to its political foes, waiting eagerly to regain their lost territory.
For the PML-N, it would mean a lot should it win the by-poll in this hotly contested constituency. The PML-N’s win would belie Imran Khan’s claims about a “Naya Pakhtunkhwa” and may herald the reversal of its political fortune in the province.
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Not surprisingly, therefore, both parties have thrown their full political might and resources into the contest. Both have pumped massive federal and provincial funds into NA-4 for launching new projects, or to complete the ongoing ones before schedule.
Five political parties have fielded their candidates for the by-poll that will take place in Peshawar on October 26.
Gulzar’s son, Asad Gulzar, is also on the list but on a ticket of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which he recently joined. PTI has fielded Arbab Amir, brother of Arbab Zahir who was elected on the seat on the ticket of Awami National Party. Amir had recently jumped ship from ANP.
From PML-N, Nasir Musazai will be contesting the by-poll. Musazai is backed by QWP and JUI-F that withdrew its candidate announcing support for PML-N.
ANP has fielded the former deputy speaker of KP Assembly, Khushdil Khan, while Jamaat-e-Islami has fielded Wasil Farooq Khan, whose candidate in last general election stood third.
NA-4 comprises rural areas of Peshawar, including Hazar Khwani, Chamkani and Badhber. One side of the constituency connects to GT Road via Chamkani, while the other meets Pabbi, Nowshera. The area of Badbher connects the constituency with Khyber Agency, while the route of Mattani joins it to Darra Adam Khel in Frontier Region Kohat.
The geographic location of the constituency and terrorism incidents that have taken place there in the past are the reason why all the polling stations there have been declared sensitive while 182 have been marked as ‘most sensitive’.
The constituency is home to around 600,000 people who call it a hub of problems as gas and electricity load-shedding and lack of potable water and schools for girls have made their routine life difficult.
In the heart of the constituency is situated Sher Shah Suri Road where vehicles can be seen struggling their way through the rickety path around Phandu Chowk.
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