Neck and neck contest as ‘heavyweights’ enter in NA 56 arena

Majority of people in Pakistan have keen interest in the politics, in a country where more then 80% portion of front page of newspapers are covered with political news, general elections are around the corner and political activities of political parties are at the extreme, on the whole political talks have become everyone's cup of tea.

Daily the Patriot has conducted a series of surveys in various political constituencies regarding upcoming elections. In this report political scenario of National Assembly seat 56 Rawalpindi is being presented. 457495 is total population in constituency of NA-56 with 231989 registered votes, males 124434 and 107545 females.

Main areas included in Na-56 are Shamsabad, Rehmanabad, Sadiqabad, Chandni Chowk and Commercial Market, and Saidpur Road etc. Statistics showed that people are more educated in this constituency as compare to other parts of the city. People of different tribes, casts and sects are living here and no candidate would get many votes by playing cards of cast or bradari etc.

Main contest is expected between Chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaaf Imran Khan and prominent leader of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, Muhammah Hanf Abbasi. Although Hanif Abbasi won in the general elections of 2008 with huge margin and beat Shiekh Rasheed Ahmed, but PML N would not be able to use Lal Masjad incident, shortage of edible items like sugar and flour, energy crises in this elections campaign as political situation has changed drastically and PTI has emerged as a real threat for the first time since its emergence in politics. PTI also has a political alliance with Chief of PML Awami Sheikh Rashed Ahmed, in NA 56 and NA 55, PTI to support Sheikh Rasheed in NA 55 and Sheik's supporters would support PTI in NA 56. Election Commission of Pakistan has eradicated bogus votes in huge numbers and 37 million new voters also have been registered, PTI claims that large number of new voters would cast votes to PTI.

Scribe found banners, stickers and portraits of leaders belonging to different political parties. Hanif Abbasi was successful to convince Maryam Nawaz to initiate PML N's political campaign in his constituency as she addressed a corner meeting in Sadiqabad couple of days before. PTI Chief Imran Khan inaugurated on Monday PTI's election office which was situated on Murree Road, right in front of the election office of PML N, it was a scene not to miss as passionate workers of both the political parties were enchanting slogans in favor of their parties. A huge public gathering in expected at the end of first week of May in Liaqat Bagh, where Imran Khan and Sheikh Rasheed would address to the residents of Rawalpindi. 

Saeed Ali a resident of NA 56 said that he got his vote registered for the first time and would cast vote to PTI, " It is the fear of PTI that other political parties are running from pillar to post to win seats, which were convinced couple of years before to win comfortably" he added. He said that most of the development work initiated in the last year of the government become possibility because of pressure of PTI. He said that his friends and other residents of his area would go for change this time and PTI would be the solution of all the ills of the country.

A middle aged resident of NA 56 said that Rawalpindi belongs to Muslim League Nawaz and he was much satisfied with the development works of Punjab government, “I would cast my vote for PML N because Hanif Abbasi built two flyovers and a cardiology hospital in my constituency". He maintained.

Mansoor Hussain a student of a University living in Sadiqabad said that PML N was lacking vision and could not set the priority to solve issued faced by the masses." I am a student and electricity breakdown affects my routine and ultimately studies but I am not aware with any project PML N initiated in the last five years, while after 18th amendment provinces could initiate the projects to fulfill energy demand". He said that PTI should be given a chance to run the government as all other political parties had ruled for enough times and had failed to bring stability and prosperity in the country. He said his friends and family members would vote for PTI.

A dejected supporter of PML N said that he was a passionate supporter of PML N but was disappointed when Hanif Abbasi was given ticket to contest elections again, despite his name was in the list of ephedrine scam. He said that either he would not cast his vote or he would compare both the candidates and surely Imran Khan for his welfare works would deserve his vote.

Ilyas Ahmed, a vendor said that no matter what he would vote for PML N, “I am a big fan of PML N, although I like Imran Khan but my vote would be for Nawaz Sharif".

A shopkeeper Ali Khan said that poor sewage system and shortage of water are major issue of the area but last government could not solve these issues. He said that crime rate in NA 56 is much higher as compare to other parts of the city. He said that May 11, date of elections would carry fragnance of change in its air and PTI would win from NA-56 with huge lead.