Author: optimum_tech

  • Nawaz Sharif’s victory speech is ready, says Maryam Nawaz

    Nawaz Sharif’s victory speech is ready, says Maryam Nawaz

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz has said in a tweet that the party is emerging as the single largest party in the centre as well as in Punjab.

     She wrote in a post on X (previously Twitter), “As opposed to the false perception deliberately built by a section of media last night, PMLN, Alhamdolillah emerging as the single largest party in centre and in Punjab. Some results awaited. MNS will head to PMLN HQ for the victory speech as soon as final results are received. Insha’Allah. Stay tuned”

  • PML-N breaks silence with a tweet

    PML-N breaks silence with a tweet

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) tweeted on X (previously Twitter), saying “#Ekvarifersher.”

  • Voices of the Future: Youth’s Perspective on Elections 2024

    Voices of the Future: Youth’s Perspective on Elections 2024

    by Hareem Nauman and Huba Shahid

    Pakistan’s political landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as the country prepares for critical elections. The young, energetic youth, a demographic powerhouse, holds significant potential to shape the country’s political future, making their thoughts, worries, and aspirations crucial.

    Youth Voter Turnout 2018:

    According to empirical Analysis of Elections in Pakistan done by Gallup Pakistan, average Youth voter turnout estimates are a mere 31.5% compared to 40% for women voter turnout and 53% for average national voter turnout during the last two elections in 2013 and 2018.

    Youth Driven Digital Democracy:

    To help the voices of the future, we also need to explore the influence of social media on political opinions and decisions driven by the youth. In the diverse society we are living in, social media is the strongest tool at the disposal of Pakistani political parties which can have a profound effect on youth’s minds and political parties and vice versa. Social media platforms enable young people to participate in conversations, express their opinions, and contribute to an active online political dialogue. Hashtags and trending topics frequently serve as vehicles for political speech, emphasizing certain concerns and establishing a virtual arena for political discourse.

    Critical issues for upcoming 2024 election:

    The 2024 elections survey by The Current Forum in Pakistan raised important concerns: 51.8% prioritized economic stability, 32.6% emphasized governance and accountability, 8.5%% focused on social services such as education and healthcare, 3.5% were conscious of climate change, and 3.5% were concerned about national security. Instagram polls echoed similar sentiments: 45% prioritized governance and accountability, 42% emphasized economic stability, 11% supported education and healthcare, and 2% were concerned about climate change. These findings highlight the different electorate objectives, emphasizing the necessity for policymakers to develop comprehensive policies that meet several issues

    Request for political candidates for immediate impact on universities and student bodies:

    The Current Forum’s 2024 elections survey found a wide range of student demands: 40.4% emphasized active engagement in decision-making for inclusive governance, 32.6% requested immediate financial assistance, and 24.8% increased funding for education. Notably, 2.1% prioritized increased campus security. According to Instagram surveys, 43% priorities student assistance, 34% advocate for student involvement in decision-making, 19% demand increased education financing, and 4% emphasize enhanced campus security.

    Concerns about the electoral process in Pakistan that need attention and improvement:

    Initiatives or strategies that could encourage greater political awareness and participation among the youth in Pakistan:

    The study indicates a variety of opinions on improving political engagement among Pakistani young. Notably, 29.8% prefer youth-focused political participation events, while 30.5% support greater young representation. 18.4% favor expanding civic education programs, while 21.3% support easily available information platforms.

    According to Instagram polls, 25% prefer greater civic education, while 24% support youth-focused engagement activities. A majority (35%) advocate for expanded youth representation, while 16% support accessible information platforms.

    Immediate Priorities for Universities and Students: Requests to Political Candidates in Pakistan’s 2024 Elections

    The survey responses highlight a range of concerns and requests from students in Pakistan for political candidates to address in the 2024 elections. Key issues include the restoration of student unions, regulation of private institution fees, compulsory on-campus jobs, and student policies that positively impact the student body. The lack of governance in certain regions, particularly in Balochistan, is also a concern. Students advocate for changes in grading systems, tackling harassment issues, ensure affordable fees, and creating job opportunities post-graduation. They also advocate for free education, scholarships, and support for those unable to afford fees. The survey participants urged candidates to address the specific needs and concerns voiced by the student community, fostering a more responsive and accountable approach to policymaking.

  • Electioneering in Sindh – VI

    Electioneering in Sindh – VI

    In the last part of this series on election politics in Sindh, we will look into three districts – Thatta, Jamshoro, and Dadu districts of the Hyderabad division, where four National Assembly (NA) and nine provincial assembly (PA) seats are at stake. On NA 223 Thatta, 12 candidates are contesting the polls. Sadiq Ali Memon of PPP, Imtiaz Ahmed of JI, Junaid Siddiqi of MQM-P, Rasool Bux Jakhro of – and Syed Jameel Ahmed Shah Bukhari of PTI are the main contenders. Looking at the 2018 results, it looks like the PPP candidate has a clear lead over his opponents. Riaz Hussain Shah Shirazi of PPP, Muhammad Farooque of PTI, Abdullah Adam Gandro of JI, Muhammad Arshad Memon of JUI-F, Mahar Ali Shah of QMM are noticeable among the 12 candidates on PS 75 Thatta-I. Going through past results, it seems the PPP candidate is poised to win this seat. Eights candidates are contesting on PS 76 Thatta-II. Altaf Hussain Kachi of TLP, Saeed-Ur-Rehman of JUI-F, Ali Hassan Zardari of PPP, Muhammad Ali Khan of JI, and Muhammad Umer Nahyo of Khadmeen-e-Sindh are the main competitors in this constituency. The PPP candidate can easily win this seat.

    On the single NA seat – NA 226 – of district Jamshoro, the PPP has awarded ticket to Malik Asad Sikander while Munir Hyder Shah, Ubedullha Jamro, Abdul Hakeem Chandio are running on GDA, TLP and PTI tickets respectively. The GDA candidate will try to put up a fight. However, past results show that the PPP candidate will likely stand victorious. Former chief minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, is contesting to retain his seat on PS 77 Jamshoro-I.

    A total of 15 candidates are in the field against the PPP candidate. GDA’s Roshan Buriro, TLP’s Manzoor Ahmed Halepoto and PTI’s Muhammad Farooq are prominent among them. In 2018, Murad Shah beat Jalal Mehmood Shah of SUP, and this time again, he is the frontrunner. Dr. Sikandar Shoro gave a tough fight to PPP’s Malk Asad Sikandar on then PS 82 Jamshoro as an independent candidate; however, later he joined the PPP and is contesting election on PS 78 Jamshoro-II against Badaruddin of TLP, Syed Munir Hyder Shah of GDA, Sadaf Raza Warraich of PML-N and nine other candidates. The main contestants on this seat are PPP’s Sikandar Shoro and GDA’s Munir Shah. Razia of JUI-F, Malik Sikander Khan of PPP, Meer Ahmed of GDA, Muhammad Tayyab Khan of Pakistan Rah-e-Haq Party, Peer Murtaza Ali Shah Jillani of PTI and independent candidate Malik Changez Khan are vying for PS 79 Jamshoro-III. A close contest is expected between PPP candidate Malik Sikander and independent candidate Malik Changez.

    There are two NA seats in Dadu district. On NA 227 Dadu-I, former CM Sindh Liaquat Jatoi is contesting on a GDA ticket after parting ways with PTI. His rivals, among others, are PPP’s Irfan Ali Leghari, JUI-F’s Hajan Khan Leghari, MQM-P’s Zulfiqar Ali and PTI’s Shahana Nawab. PPP’s Irfan Leghari defeated Liaquat Jatoi by getting 95,891 votes while Jatoi got 82,658 in 2018. Incumbency and anger among voters due to the 2022 floods may jeopardise the PPP candidate’s chances of a victory. Rafique Ahmed Jamali of PPP and Karim Ali Jatoi of GDA are again in the field on NA 228 Dadu-II along with 13 other candidates, which include Abdul Majeed Chahwan of MQM-P, Zafar Ali of JI, Rashid Ali of TLP and Abu Bakar of JUI-F. PPP’s Jamali beat Jatoi in 2018 by securing 81,215 votes against Jatoi’s 63,032 while independent candidate Jan Muhammad Panhwar got 19,906 votes. In this constituency, the incumbency factor may go against the PPP candidate.

    On PS 80 Dadu-I, GDA’s Karim Ali Jatoi, PPP’s Abdul Aziz Junejo, MQM-P’s Shahid Hussain Shah, JUI-F’s Taj Muhammad, TLP’s Bashir Sodhar, PTI’s Asghar Ali Sodhar and JI’s Mir Murtaza are prominent among 12 candidates.

    PPP’s absence from the ground during the 2022 floods may favour GDA candidate. Fayaz Butt of PPP, Liaquat Ali Jatoi of GDA, Abdullah of JI, Parveen of TLP, Talib Hussain Panhwar of MQM-P, Muhammad Masood Panhwar of JUI-F and Majeed Khoso of PTI are noticeable among 19 candidates on PS 81 Dadu-II. Although PPP won this seat in 2018, this time the previous ruling party may feel the heat due to its bad handling of the 2022 floods in the area.

    Pir Mujeeb-ul-Haq of PPP is vying on PS 82 Dadu-III against Ashique Ali Zounr of GDA, Shahid Solangi of MQM-P, Zameer Ahmed of JI, Karim Bux Siddiqui of IPP, Zulfiqar Mallah of PTI and 16 other candidates. The GDA candidate will put up a resistance but the PPP candidate has a bit of an upper hand. On PS 83 Dadu-IV, 20 candidates are running for victory, which include Pir Syed Salih Shah Jilani of PPP, Imdad Ali Leghari of GDA, Bandah Ali Leghari (independent) and Anwar Ali Panhwar of PTI. Syed Ghulam Shah Jillani of PPP won this seat in 2018 and after his death, his son Salih Shah Jillani won in the by-elections. Local internal rivalries in the PPP and incumbency factor due to the 2022 floods can cause damage to the PPP candidate here.

  • Electioneering in Sindh – V

    Electioneering in Sindh – V

    In this part, we will discuss candidates’ prospects from Hyderabad division, i.e. Tando Mohammad Khan, and Badin districts. There are four National Assembly (NA) and nine provincial assembly (PA) seats in these three districts of Sindh.

    The PPP’s Syed Naveed Qamar is being challenged by 16 candidates on NA 221, which is the sole NA seat of district Tando Mohammad Khan. His main opponents are Mir Ali Nawaz Talpur of GDA, Ahmed Noonari of Khadmeen-e-Sindh, Mohammad Irfan of PTI and Imtiaz Hussain of MQM-P. Naveed Qamar won this seat in the 2018 elections by securing 76,077 votes, while GDA’s Ali Nawaz Talpur and PTI’s Abdul Jabbar Memon got 45,169 and 15,450 votes respectively. Although the PPP candidate has a lead over his close rival from GDA, an interesting contest is expected here.

    In PS 66, 20 candidates are contesting the polls. Among those, Ali Nawaz Talpur of GDA, M. Javed Rajput of MQM-P, Aijaz Ali of JI, Ambar of JUI-F, Pir Muhammad Ali Sarhandi of TLP, M. Altaf Nizamani of PTI and Syed Aijaz Hussain Shah of the PPP are prominent candidates. PPP’s Aijaz Shah won this seat in 2018 by getting 32,659 votes while Mir Ali Hyder Talpur of GDA and Altaf Nizamani of PTI got 20,736 and 13,801 votes respectively. Although Aijaz Shah seems to be all set for victory, nothing can be said till the announcement of the election results.

    On another PA seat, PS 67, a total of 12 candidates are competing for success. Dr. Qadir Magsi, a nationalist contesting from the platform of Khadmeen-e-Sindh, Khurram Karim Soomro of PPP and Abdul Rahim of PTI are prominent candidates on this seat. Abdul Karim Soomro of PPP, father of the present PPP candidate, previously won this seat by beating Abdul Rahim Katiar of GDA and Abdul Latif Soomro of PTI. Nationalists and supporters of Qadir Magsi are confident that he may pull a surprise.

    Badin is one of the real battlegrounds during the 2024 elections. Two friends turned foes, Asif Zardari and Zulfiqar Mirza, are fighting for electoral supremacy on two NA and five PA seats. Mirza clinched Badin in 2017 local bodies elections but could defend just one NA and one PA seat in the 2018 general election. After the restoration of nomination forms by the court, they are still in a legal battle for getting GDA’s symbol. Until they get their symbols, official GDA candidates are Mir Hussain Bux Talpur, Muhammad Hassam Mirza, Mansoor Ali Nizamani, Mir Abdullah Khan, Hasnain Ali Mirza, Muhammad Hassam Mirza and Ameer Hassan Panhwar on NA 222, 223, PS 68, 69, 70, 71 and 72 respectively. The PPP has fielded five winners of the 2018 elections, one runner-up and one new face, which are Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, Rasool Bux Chandio, Muhammad Halepoto, Mir Allah Bux Talpur, Arbab Amir Amanullah, Taj Muhammad Mallah and Ismail Rahu on NA 222, 223 PS 68, 69, 70, 71, 72 respectively. A close contest is expected on all constituencies except PS 72 Badin-V, where PPP’s Ismail Rahu is in a better position against GDA’s Ameer Hassan Panhwar.

    There are only one NA and two provincial assembly seats for grabs in Sujawal district. Ayaz Ali Shah Sheerazi of the PPP is up against Molvi Muhammad Saleh Alhadad of JUI-F, Muhammad Ramzan Lashari of MQM, Ghulam Sarwar Khatti of TLP and Mumtaz Ali Shah of PTI on NA 224. PPP’s Ayaz Shah Sheerazi won this seat in 2018 by getting 130,000 votes against MMA’s Molvi Saleh, who got 11,184 votes. On PS 73 Sujawal-I, Hussain Shah Shirazi of PPP, Dhani Dino Jakhro of TLP, Muhammad Ismail Memon of JUI-F, Juman Sindhi of Khadmeen-e-Sindh, Deedar Ali of PTI and Manzoor Ali Mallah of MQM-P are notables. PPP’s Shah Hussain Shirazi won this seat in 2018 and he is the frontrunner in 2024 elections as well. Ghulam Fatma of MQM, Muhammad Ali Malkani of PPP, Najeebullah of JUI-F, Ghulam Sarwar Khatti of TLP, and Muhammad Ashraf Thaheem of Khadmeen-e-Sindh are the main contenders among 15 candidates on PS 74 Sujawal-II. Muhammad Ali Malkani of PPP won this seat in 2018 while TLP’s Ghulam Muhammad Naeemi stood a distant second. PPP’s Malkani is a strong candidate on this seat.

  • Electioneering in Sindh – IV

    Electioneering in Sindh – IV

    In this part we will discuss Matiari, Tando Allahyar, Hyderabad, and Tando Mohammad districts of Hyderabad division of Sindh. Hyderabad is the largest division of Sindh in the context of districts. It consists of nine districts with 13 National Assembly (NA) and 28 provincial assembly (PA) seats.

    Matiari, with two PA seats and one NA seat, is famous for handicrafts of Hala and the tomb of Bhit Shah. The Makhdooms of Hala and famous novelist Bina Shah hail from this district. In NA 216 Matiari, 12 candidates are contesting. However, PPP’s Jami-Uz-Zaman and PML-N Sindh president Bashir Memon, who beside his community is also supported by GDA and JUI-F, are the main contenders on this seat. Jamil-Uz-Zaman won this seat in 2018 by getting over 100,000 votes while his close rival GDA’s Fazal Shah got 50,000 votes. Makhdoom has a bigger challenge to retain his ancestral seat while Memon has to prove his worth. Naseer Memon, brother of Bashir Memon, is the PML-N candidate who, alongside eight others, will challenge PPP’s Mehboob Zaman on PS 56 Matiari-I. Nargis Naz of PTI is also in the running here. Mehboob defeated Naseer in 2018 by taking 50,000 votes, while Naseer got 34,000 votes. On another provincial assembly seat, PS 57 Matiari-II, 15 candidates are testing their luck, but the real contest is expected to take place between PPP’s Fakhar Zaman and GDA’s Syed Jalal Shah. PTI’s Gulzar Hussain is also contesting on this seat. Jalal Shah was beaten by PPP’s Rafiq Zaman in 2018. He got 24,000 votes while the PPP candidate polled around 46,000 votes.

    Tando Allahyar district in Hyderabad division has one NA and two PA seats. PPP’s Zukfiqar Bachani, who won NA 217 in 2018 by getting more than 90,000 votes, is facing 17 candidates. Raheela Magsi of GDA would be his main challenger, while PTI’s Rozina Bhutto is also contesting. Bachani family has been winning this seat continuously since 2002. In 2018, there was seat adjustment between PTI and other anti-PPP political parties and families. Raheela Magsi of GDA, Syed Zia Abbas Shah of PPP, Rashid Hussain Meo are among 23 candidates vying for victory on PS 58 Tando Allahyar-I. In 2018, PPP’s Zia Abbas Shah won this seat while his close rival was PTI’s Ali Palh, who got 34,000 votes against 58,000 votes of PPP candidate. Aslam Leghari of PTI, M. Mohsin Magsi of GDA and Imdad Ali Pitafi and other nine candidates are competing on PS 59 Tando Allahyar-II. Imdad Pitafi of PPP won this seat in 2018 by taking 47,000 votes while his close rival GDA’s Khair Muhammad Khokahr got 39,000 votes. Magsi family will display some resistance, but it seems PPP is poised to retain its hold in this district.

    There are three NA and six provincial assembly seats in Hyderabad district. In 2018, PPP won one NA and three PA seats while the remaining two NA and three PA seats were grabbed by the MQM. In NA 218 Hyderabad-I, 11 candidates are the running. Syed Tariq Hussain of PPP, Nasreen Akhtar of MQM, and Zubair Khadim of JI are prominent among the contestants. PPP may retain this seat. JI’s Meraj-Ul-Huda Siddiqui, Mehmood Qadri of JUP Noorani, Mohammad Ashraf of PkMAP, Ali Muhammad Sahito of PPP, Abdul Aleem Khan of MQMP, Husnain Rashid of PML-N, Mustansir Billah of PTI and Muhammad Momin Kunwar are prominent among 40 candidates who are running for NA 219 Hyderabad-II. MQM will try to retain this seat while others, especially the PPP, are poised to challenge their hegemony. On NA 220 Hyderabad-III, 36 candidates are running. JUP(N)’s Abul Khair Zubair, PML-N’s Khalid Aziz, MQM-P’s Syed Muhammad Hussain, Tahir Majeed of JI, PPP’s Waseem Khan Rajput and PTI’s Faisal Mughal are among notables running on this seat. A close contest is expected here between the PPP and MQM-P.

    PPP candidate Jam Khan Shoro won PS 62 Hyderabad-I in 2018 by getting 35,000 votes. His close rival Ayaz Latif Palijo of GDA got 13,000 votes. In 2024 elections, Jam Khan Shoro is running again to retain the same constituency re-designated as PS 60 Hyderabad-I. His rivals are Afroz Shoro of PTI, Ayaz Latif Palijo of GDA, Sajid Ali of MQM-P, Mehboob Mahesar of JI and 19 others. Hyderabad’s main locally of Sindhi speaking population Qasimabad is in this constituency. Ayaz Latif banks on residents of that area for success. However, here Jam Khan Shoro seems favourite for victory. On PS 61 Hyderabad-II, 22 candidates are contesting in 2024. Anwar Ali of PTI, Fateh Muhammad Shoro of JI, Saeed Ahmed Talpur of JUI-F and Sharjeel Inam Memon of PPP are prominent contestants. Sharjeel Inam Memon won this seat in 2018 by getting 44,000 votes. The PPP candidate is the frontrunner on this seat. On PS 62 Hyderabad-III, the total number of candidates is 35. Awais Khan of PTI, Hashim of ANP, Faizullah of JUI-F, Abdul Jabbar of PPP, Sabir Hussain of MQM-P, Saif-Ul-Rehman of JI, Syed Muhammad Hassan of JUP-N, Saeed Akbar of PkMAP, and Khalid Aziz of PML-N are the prominent among them. Abdul Jabbar of PPP won this seat in 2018. A close contest between the PPP and MQM-P is expected during these polls. 41 contestants are vying on PS 63 Hyderabad-IV. Yasir Talpur of PML-N, Muhammad Rehan Rajput of PTI, Kamran Shafique of MQM-P, Sanam Talpur of PPP and Afaq Nasir of JI are the main contenders. MQM-P’s Naeem Siddiqui won this seat in 2018. PPP’s Sanam Talpur may put some resistance. However, MQM-P may clinch this seat. 45 candidates have fielded their nomination papers on PS 64 Hyderabad-V, which include PPP’s Aajiz Dhamrah, MQM-P’s Muhammad Rashid Khan, JI’s Zaheeruddin Shaikh, Rashid Hameed of PML-N and PTI’s Naeem Uddin. In 2018, MQM-P won this seat; PTI was the runner up while PPP stood third. Although history favours MQM-P, PPP will try to turn the tables. 42 candidates are running on PS 65 Hyderabad-IV. Shoaib Shaukat of PTI, Nazim Ali Arain of JUP-N, Nasir Hussain Qureshi of MQM-P, M. Fareed Qureshi of PPP, and Irfan of JI are the notables among them. MQM-P won this seat in 2018 and they will repeat same in these elections.

  • Electioneering in Sindh – III

    In the previous two parts of this series, we have gone through possible election scenarios in Larkana, Sukkur and Shaheed Benazirabad divisions of Sindh. In this part we will discuss the situation in Mirpur Khas division. This division has three districts, Mirpur Khas, Umerkot and Tharparkar. Pakistan’s first minority MNA was elected from Mirpur Khas division in the 2018 elections.

    District Mirpur Khas has two National Assembly (NA) and four provincial assembly (PA) seats. In NA 211 Mirpur Khas-I, 20 candidates are testing their luck and the most prominent among them are PPP’s Syed Aftab Shah Jillani, ex-MNA Syed Ali Nawaz Shah, Mohammad Asad Ali Junejo of PML-N, Afaque Ahmed Khan of MQM and Raja Abdul Haque. However, the actual contest is between ex-MNA Syed Ali Nawaz Shah, who is running as an independent candidate, and PPP’s Aftab Shah Jillani, who is returning to electoral politics after a decade. In 2018, Ali Nawaz won this seat by getting 75,872 votes, while his closest rival – PPP’s Hasan Ali Shah – got 67,782 votes, MQM, PTI and TLP candidates got 8,869, 4,985 and 2,353 votes respectively. On NA 212 Mirpur Khas-II, PPP’s Mir Munawar Talpur, independent candidate Ali Nawaz Shah, JUI-F’s Ghulam Qadir Khan, PTI’s Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah are prominent among 11 candidates. PPP’s Munawar Talpur, who won this seat in 2018 by getting 105,952 votes trouncing his close rival Arbab Ghulam Rahim, who got 51,208 votes, is said to be the favourite for victory on February 8, 2024. Including Hari Ram, winner of 2018 elections, 35 candidates are running for elections on PS 45 Mirpur Khas-I. MQM dominated this seat in 2002, 2008 and 2013 elections. It has fielded Zafar Ahmed Kamali while the PML-N has awarded a ticket to Abdul Hameed and PTI has nominated Aftab Hussain Qureshi. A close contest is expected in this constituency. PPP’s Zulfiqar Ali Shah, PTI’s Mumtaz Ali Shah, MQM’s Abdul Hameed are among 17 candidates on PS 46 Mirpur Khas-II. On PS 47 Mirpur Khas-III, GDA’s Mir Janullah Talpur, PPP’s Noor Ahmed Bhurgri, PTI’s Ali Raza and independent candidate Ali Nawaz Shah are contesting. A three-way fight between Mir Janullah, Ali Nawaz Shah and Noor Ahmed Bhurgri is expected. GDA’s Inayatullah, PPP’s Mir Tariq Talpur and PTI’s Mohammad Iqbal are among 15 candidates vying for victory on PS 49, Mirpur Khas-IV. Here, Noor Mohammad Bhurgri is poised to win this seat for the PPP.

    On Umerkot’s only seat NA 213, a total of 19 candidates have been awarded symbols by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). A three-way fight is expected between PPP’s Nawab Yousuf Talpur, PML-N’s Mir Amanullah Talpur and PTI’s Lalchand Malhi. In the 2018 elections, Yousuf Talpur beat PTI’s Shah Mahmood Qureshi by getting 164,047 votes, while Qureshi got 104,849 votes. Although votes of minorities and disciples of Ghousia seat of Multan may help the PTI candidate put up a good fight, a split in the anti-PPP votes will benefit the PPP candidate. There are three PA seats in this district. In the 2018 elections, PPP won all PA seats and is vying to repeat the same feat again. PPP’s Sardar Shah, GDA’s Khizar Hayat, PTI’s Ali Akber Palli and independent Ali Murad Rajar are prominent among the 23 candidates running on PS 49 Umerkot-I. Sardar Shah won this seat in 2018 and would like to repeat the same but may see a tough competition by independent candidate Rajar who has the support of his community as well as of Sarwari Jamaat. On PS 50 Umerkot-II, PPP’s Ameer Ali Shah is facing 21 candidates, noticeable among those are GDA’s Ghulam Nabi Mangrio and PTI’s Lekhraj Malhi. Ameer Ali Shah beat Arbab Ghulam Rahim by securing 58,968 votes against Arbab’s 30,832 votes in the bye-election held in 2021. His father also defeated Arbab Ghulam Rahim in the general elections held in 2018. Chances of victory of Ameer Ali Shah seem bright. On PS 51 Umerkot-III, 10 candidates are in the running; however, the main contest is between PPP’s Taimur Talpur and GDA’s Dost Mohammad Memon. History is on the side of Talpur.

    Once the Arbab family was seen as the ‘king’ of Tharparkar district, but in 2018, PPP routed and ended their dominance by winning all but one seat. On NA 214 Tharparkar-I, a total of 11 candidates are contesting. PTI’s Shah Mahmood Qureshi, PPP’s Ameer Ali Shah Jeelani and Abdul Razzaque are notable among them. In 2018, the father of PPP candidate beat Qureshi by securing 80,047 votes while his opponent bagged 72,884 votes. In 2018, Qureshi was supported by the Arbabs. However, this time they have fielded their local ally Rahmoon, so the benefit of a three-way contest may go in the favour of the PPP candidate. On another seat – NA 215 Tharparkar-II – 20 candidates are in the field: GDA’s Arbab Ghulam Rahim, PPP’s Mahesh Kumar Malani and PTI’s Mehar-Un-Nisa Baloch are prominent among those candidates. In the last elections, the PPP candidate beat GDA’s Arbab Zakaullah by a margin of 20,000 votes. Although an interesting contest is expected on this seat, the split in anti-PPP votes between GDA and PTI may favour PPP’s Malani. On PS 52 Tharparkar-I, 11 candidates are contesting: GDA’s Sher Khan and PPP’s Dost Muhammad are the main contenders. In 2018, GDA won this seat. On PS 53 Tharparkar-II, GDA’s Arbab Anwar Jabbar, PPP’s Muhamad Qasim Soomro, JUI-F’s Umer Farooq, PTI’s Pehlaj Rai and 10 other candidates are pitched against each other. In 2018, Qasim Soomro won this seat. Soomro and GDA candidate are the main contestants here. On PS 54 Tharparkar-III, among 12 aspirants, PPP’s Faqeer Sher Muhammad Bilalani, GDA’s Arbab Togachi Fawad Razzaq, PPP’s Sher Muhammad Bilalani, PTI’s Lajpat Rai are the main competitors. Bilalani defeated Arbab by a difference of 21,000 votes. Although 18 candidates are in the race, it is a contest between a family on PS 55 Tharparkar-IV. Arbab Lutifullah of PPP is in the against Arbab Zakaullah. Voters will decide who will be the new king of Tharparkar.

  • Electioneering in Sindh – II

    Electioneering in Sindh – II

    In the second part of our series on electioneering in Sindh, we will discuss Shaheed Benazirabad and Mirpur Khas divisions. Shaheed Benazir division, formerly known as Nawabshah, comprises Naushahro Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad and Sanghar districts. It has six National Assembly (NA) and 13 provincial assembly (PA) seats. As per the latest delimitations, one of its districts – Sanghar – has lost one NA and one PA seat. While Mirpurkhas division comprising Mirpurkhas, Umerkot and Thar district has five NA and 11 PA seats. Former president Asif Ali Zardari and his elder sister Azra Pechuho, former federal ministers Asghar Shah, Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi, Shazia Marri, Nawab Yousuf Talpur, and former chief minister of Sindh Arbab Ghulam Rahim are testing their luck in these divisions. Let us look at it in some detail.

    There are two National Assembly seats in district Naushahro Feroze. On NA 205 Naushahro Feroze-I, PPP has fielded the winner of 2018 elections Syed Abrar Ali Shah. Among 17 aspirants, his main rival is PML-N’s Syed Asghar Ali Shah. Although PPP candidates may feel the heat from voters over his performance during the last five years, Abrar Shah still seems set to win. In NA 206 Naushahro Feroze-II, 16 candidates are in the race, but the main contest is between GDA’s Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi and PPP’s Zulfiqar Behan. Jatoi lost to Behan in 2018 by a meager difference of 6,000 votes, so he will work hard to reclaim the seat. We may see an interesting contest on this seat. In four provincial assembly seats allotted to this district, a tough contest is expected on PS 34 NF-III and PS 35 NF-IV between GDA’s Shah Nawaz Jatoi and PPP’s Mumtaz Chandio (he was winner in 2018) and GDA’s Masroor Jatoi (he has returned to electoral politics after more than a decade) and PPP’s Zia Lanjar respectively. In 2018 PS 35, which was then PS 36, GDA’s Arif Mustafa Jatoi won. The margin of victory was very thin in both constituencies. On the remaining two PA seats, the opposing candidate will show some resistance but conditions are favourable for PPP candidates.

    Asif Ali Zardari is facing 12 candidates on NA 207 Shaheed Benazirabad-I. His main rival is Sardar Shaer Mohammad Rind, who is running as an independent candidate with the backing of GDA, JUI-F and PML-N. Here, a repetition of 2018 results is predicted. On NA 208 Shaheed Benzairabad-II, Syed Zainulabdin Shah known as Zain Shah, grandson of GM Syed, of GDA is up against PPP’s Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah and 17 other candidates. Since 2002 elections, PPP’s Ghulam Mustafa Shah has stood victorious on this seat, and he is poised to repeat the same. There is smooth sailing for PPP candidates Azra Pechuho and Javed Iqbal Arain on PS 36 and 37 Shaheed Benazirabad I & II respectively, however, stiff competition is expected by Syed Zain Shah on PS 38 Shaheed Benaziradad-III against PPP’s Ghulam Qadir Chadio. Many anti-PPP Sindhi nationalists want to see Zain Shah in the assembly. It is interesting to note that Mr. Chandio has been returning to the Sindh Assembly since 2002. On PS 29 Shaheed Benazirabad-IV, PPP’s Bahadur Dahri will face some resistance from his rival GDA’s Arif Niaz Arain mainly due to the candidacy of Mohammad Ismail Dahri, who belongs to the same community and party.

    Although Sanghar is a stronghold of the followers of Pir Pagara, PPP candidates swept all three NA seats in 2018. However due to the decrease in seats after delimitation, the situation seems difficult for PPP candidates, particularly on NA 209 Sanghar-I, where 17 candidates are vying for victory. GDA’s Mohammad Khan Junejo and PPP’s Shazia Marri are real competitors on this seat. In 2018, Shazia Marri won from NA 216 Sanghar-II by getting 80,000 votes while her close rival GDA’s Kishanchand Parwani got 70,000 votes. She lost to PML-F’s Sadaruddin Shah in 2013 elections, while she won from the same constituency in the bi-elections. Due to decrease in NA seats in district Sanghar, Marri is facing a tough competition. On the other NA seat 201 Sanghar-II, GDA’s Saira Bano is challenging PPP’s Salahuddin Junejo. Although Junejo belongs to this constituency and Saira Bano is an outsider and he has a little edge over his rival, still he has to work hard for victory on February 8. On provincial assembly seats PS 40 Sanghar-I, a close contest is expected between GDA’s Abdul Qudoos Rajar and PPP’s Naveed Dero, while on PS 41 Sanghar-II, it will be surprising if PPP’s Ali Hasan Hingoro beats GDA’s Qazi Shamsuddin. Although PPP candidates Jam Shabbir Ali, Paras Dero and Shahid Thaheem have a little edge over their rivals Jam Nafees, Niaz Hussain and Mohammad Bux of GDA on PS 42, 43, and 44 Sanghar-III, IV and V, but anything can happen on February 8, 2024.

  • Why we are voting PTI

    Why we are voting PTI

    by Hareem Nauman and Huba Shahid

    Being young adults, we never participated actively in politics. PTI’s election 2018 campaign was so effective that it captivated the attention of young people and encouraged them to get involved in politics.

    The voter turnout among young people was incredibly high, with an estimated 20 to 30 percent of people voting for the first time in the 2018 elections. Imran Khan and his team ensured that the youth became the driving force of his campaign.

    The 2018 manifesto’s major part was dedicated to youth. Another element for targeting the youth was the ratio of youth in Pakistan and how they actively use digital platforms, and Khan and his team, made sure to persuade us to make the most of it.

    In 2018, Pakistan was filled with excitement and hope for a new political tradition, with new leadership promising a better Pakistan. PTI’s anti-corruption narrative inspired young people to participate in the election. The urban middle class, which had historically been excluded from family dynasties, saw an opportunity to rebuild the country’s political structure through a merit-based reward system.

    Activists of Imran Khan party Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) enjoy at the thanksgiving day rally in Islamabad on November 2, 2016.
    A Pakistani opposition party has abruptly called off a planned “lockdown” of the capital after the Supreme Court paved the way for an investigation into allegations of corruption against the prime minister’s family.
    A Pakistani opposition party has abruptly called off a planned “lockdown” of the capital after the Supreme Court paved the way for an investigation into allegations of corruption against the prime minister’s family. / AFP PHOTO / ASIF HASSAN

    The phrase ‘Naya Pakistan’ resonated with educated youth. There were two categories of people who joined the PTI: those who wanted a meritocratic, inclusive, and successful Pakistan, and those who were disillusioned with previous leaders.

    After winning in 2018, Khan announced big plans for the benefit of the youth. PTI’s government launched various revolutionary projects to empower and advance the youth.

    Khan initiated the “Kamiyaab Jawan” Program on 11th July 2019 for the youth’s betterment and another initiative was the inclusion of vulnerable groups in the “Ehsaas Programme.”

    Prime Minister Imran Khan addressing after distribution of Cheques at a Ceremony under “Kamyab Jawan Program” in Karachi on January 27, 2020

    From 2018 to 2022, Khan actively worked for the welfare and involvement of the youth and the poor. He never surrendered his state’s sovereignty, and when a no-confidence motion was launched against him, he became extremely active on social media, encouraging youth involvement and participation to support him on digital platforms.

    After the no-confidence motion, the youth were devastated and out on the streets for their leader.

    Imran Khan received widespread support, both nationally and internationally. Digital campaigns were launched to support the injustices committed against the PTI. PTI launched campaigns involving peaceful protests around the country. But the opposition was outraged by the enormous support for the PTI and launched a crackdown.

    In spite of all the cases and propaganda against Khan, we are still standing behind him. The youth continue to provide him with unmatched support. His youth-oriented ideology is the motivation behind his support. Despite the chaos, supporters do not back down or fear anything.

    We, as young adults, continue to support Imran Khan and will always do so. No matter what happens, we will vote for him.

  • ‘TOOTAY HUAY DIL JAEIN KAHAN,’ BABAR AZAM NAY BATA DIA

    ‘TOOTAY HUAY DIL JAEIN KAHAN,’ BABAR AZAM NAY BATA DIA

    Babar Azam, the former captain of Pakistan Cricket Team was asked by a fan that ‘tootay huay dil jaein kahan’ and Babar gave ‘the right solution’.

    When asked, ‘tootay huay dil jaein kahan’, Babar responded, “Doctor kay pas”.

    Babar Azam is currently in an X (Former Twitter) space titled ‘From the Pitch to the Mic: Babar Azam’ where he was responding to questions asked by his fans under #AskBabar.

    He announced on January 31 on his X account, “Are you as excited as I am for the live Twitter Space? I’ll be answering questions already submitted using #AskBabar. Send your questions and tune in. I will answer as many questions as possible. ✨ ”

    Babar was asked by a fan about his skin care routine for his glowing skin and he said, “I sleep on time and nothing else. It is thanks to Allah that I have such beauty”.

    Cricketer Muhammad Rizwan came to the space and asked him, “Shadi kab ho rahi hai” to which Babar said, “Murshid main aapko akelay mein bataun ga”. Rizwan and Babar started laughing and then Rizwan mentioned how his wife kept asking him daily when Babar would get married.