HARIPUR: As the campaigning phase for the May 8 elections enters its final stages, the spotlight is usually on the NA-18 constituency due to the intriguing contests between scions of political rival families. However, this time around, the electoral landscape appears lackluster due to an apparent one-sided competition, with no close challenger emerging from the beleaguered Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).
Spanning an expansive area of 1726 square kilometers, NA-19 stands as the largest constituency in the province, boasting the highest number of voters at 724,915. The constituency is divided into three provincial assembly constituencies—PK-46, PK-47, and PK-48—all of which were won by PTI in the 2018 polls.
Sixteen candidates from nearly all major political parties are vying for the National Assembly constituency in Haripur. However, the race is anticipated to be closely contested between PML-N candidate Babar Nawaz Khan and PTI central general secretary Omar Ayub Khan.
Omar Ayub Khan is running under the symbol of ‘laptop’ after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) revoked the party’s electoral symbol ‘bat.’ Notably, he has been in hiding, facing over 20 criminal charges since the events of May 9.
Onlookers describe the competition in the National Assembly constituency as one-sided.
As an interim arrangement, Omar’s son, Arsalan Ayub Khan, frequently attends public meetings addressed by his father’s cousin, Yousuf Ayub Khan, advocating for both Omar Ayub Khan and his real brothers, Akbar Ayub Khan and Arshad Ayub Khan, who are also PTI candidates for PK-46 and PK-47, respectively.
Omar, who joined PML-Q with his father, the late Gohar Ayub Khan, a few months before the general elections in 2002, entered the National Assembly as the third generation from the late Gen Ayub Khan’s family. He served in Shaukat Aziz’s cabinet as the state minister for finance, claiming to have brought significant projects to Haripur. Although he lost to PML-N’s Sardar Mushtaq Khan in 2008, he returned to the assembly for a brief period in 2015 following the apex court’s ordered re-election in the constituency.
During the by-election, he did not contest due to his late mother’s illness but openly supported Babar Nawaz Khan against PTI’s nominee and former MNA Dr. Raja Amir Zaman. Babar won the election on PML-N’s ticket and served as the chairman of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Human Rights from 2015 to 2018.
Observers believe that Omar Ayub’s absence from the constituency and alleged detachment from constituents, despite holding the position of federal minister from 2018 to 2021, has diminished his popularity and voter support. His opponent, Babar Nawaz Khan, seized the opportunity to connect with voters by attending social gatherings.
Supporters of Babar are optimistic about his chances of returning to parliament with a majority based on the backing of youth and the common man. However, critics argue that Omar Ayub failed to fulfill promises and provide job opportunities to his constituents during his tenure as federal minister.
Observers point out that Babar Nawaz Khan’s strategic alliances, including support from former rivals Dr. Raja Amir Zaman and Sardar Mushtaq Khan, may enhance his chances of winning the seat with a significant majority. The influence of Dr. Raja Amir Zaman and Sardar Mushtaq Khan over their respective clans is expected to contribute to Babar’s potential success.
Babar Nawaz Khan has also formed alliances with former ministers Qazi Mohammad Asad Khan and Raja Faisal Zaman, both running as independent candidates, despite being members of PML-N. This tactical move aims to strengthen Babar’s position in the elections.
In PK-48, where Senator Pir Sabir Shah’s nephew, Syed Hamid Shah, is a PML-N candidate, Babar Nawaz faces competition from independent candidate Gohar Nawaz, his paternal uncle. However, the weakened position of Pir Sabir Shah’s vote bank may limit its impact in this constituency.
In PK-46, where PML-N lacks a strong candidate, Dr. Shaista Khan has been given the party’s ticket for the general seat.
