Posts Tagged ‘Mardan’

Showcasing power: ‘Islam Zindabad Conference’

JUI-F’s Provincial leader Sheikh Amanullah and former federal minister Maulana Ataur Rehman said the ‘Islam Zindabad Conference’ will be a major blow to other political parties and termed it ‘the last nail in the coffins of other political parties’ since an estimated 1.5 million people, including people from 2,500 seminaries, will be participating in the conference.

They claimed that more than 10,000 motorcyclists will reach Peshawar from the southern districts of Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Lakki Marwat, adding that orders had been placed for 20,000 flags. The JUI-F leaders also blamed the Awami National Party (ANP) for rigging the by-election held on Saturday for NA-9 in Mardan. They said that the result of the polls was already decided since ANP is part of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa coalition government. They also demanded the Election Commission of Pakistan to take notice of the extensive aerial firing by ANP activists.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2012.

By-elections 2012

NA-168 [Vehari]

The total number of registered voters in the constituency is 258,233

The NA-168 seat became vacant after MNA Azeem Daultana of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) died in a car accident. The ticket was initially given to Aqeela Daultana, grandmother of Azeem, but was finally awarded to his sister Natasha Daultana.

The total number of registered voters in the constituency is 258,233. Some 239 polling stations and 641 polling booths were set up. Bilal Akbar Bhatti was the other candidate who was given the ticket of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).He had earlier contested as an independent candidate. The contest was not supposed to be a close one as people sympathised with Daultana.

However, during a firing incident in polling station number 13 in Daad Cameera, one polling agent of PPP, Muhammad Ismail was injured who was shifted to the District Headquarters (DHQ), Vehari.

Police immediately surrounded the station and later handed it over to the Rangers. Seven people were initially arrested, but were later released. Another polling station, 571 E-B witnessed protests because of alleged stamping of ballot papers by PPP officials and polling remained suspended for some time.

The polling had been processed by District Police Officer (DPO) Nasir Ali Rizvi who brought the situation under control, by deploying over 1,500 police and Rangers personnel.

The constituency comprises all rural areas, including Maachiwaal, Sahu Kaar and Deewan Sahib. Initial estimates suggested that Bilal Akbar Bhatti had been defeated by Natasha Daultana with a 5,000 point lead.

NA-9 [Mardan]

Seat became vacant following the resignation of ANP lawmaker Khawaja Mohammad Khan Hoti who joined PTI

The NA-9 seat became vacant following the resignation of Awami National Party (ANP) lawmaker Khawaja Mohammad Khan Hoti, who joined the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

The ANP candidate, Himayatullah Mayar, was ahead of his competitor Maulana Shujaul Mulk of the Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI-F), with over 2,000 votes in the by-elections.

According to unofficial results of about 75 polling stations out of a total of 214, Mayar secured 10,050 votes, while Mulk secured about 7,500 votes.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) estimated that the constituency has almost 250,461 registered voters, of which, approximately 152,114 are men and 98,345 women.

According to locals, firing took place at Mayar’s election office. There were reports of a man being killed in the firing; however, media reports later said that the man was killed due to personal dispute.

Locals also said that females were not allowed to vote in three union councils of the NA-9: Khazana Dheri, Mahu Dheri and Chamatar.

Pakistan Peoples Party and ANP, who are ruling allies in the province, are supporting Mayar against Mulk. Both the JUI-F and ANP are taking this election as a test case of their position in the province.

NA-148 [Multan]

The NA-148 seat in Multan became vacant after the resignation of PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

The constituency has always occupied an important position in Pakistani politics with Qureshi as well as former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader turned PTI stalwart Makhdoom Javed Hashmi being the traditional contenders.

However, this time around the buzz is all about the son of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Ali Moosa Gilani, contesting the polls on a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) ticket.

His main contestant is PML-N’s Abdul Ghaffar Dogar, former mayor of Multan. The constituency comprises rural areas in Multan including Qadirpur Rawan, Taataypur and Budhla Sant. The total number of voters is 33,8007 with 219 polling stations and 637 polling booths.

As many as 219 presiding officers were deputed to monitor the polling process along with 5,000 police personnel.  Polling in Basti Gul polling station was suspended earlier due to the complaints of PML-N polling agents who had alleged that PPP workers beat them up. There were some disturbances recorded in polling stations 57 as well as 288 while PML-N’s women voters were allegedly also beaten at polling station 174.

The premier’s son is widely expected to win the seat.

NA-149 [Multan]

Around 5,000 police personnel were deployed to maintain security

The NA-149 constituency became vacant following the resignation of Javed Hashmi of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), who joined the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). NA-149 has remained the constituency of PML-N.

It comprises urban areas of Multan, where the competition was likely to be tough due to the high political awareness and literacy rate.  The PML-N initially awarded ticket to Rafeeq Rajwana, but he was later picked for the Senate seat. Tariq Rasheed, former mayor of Multan and brother of Tahir Rasheed who recently re-joined the PML-N, was nominated for the seat.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) gave its backing to Liaquat Dogar, a former MNA and brother of Senator Salahuddin Dogar. The total number of voters in this constituency is 402,981. Some 295 polling stations and 930 booths were set up. Up to 295 presiding officers have been deputed.

Around 5,000 policemen and five Rangers battalion were deployed for security purposes. City Police Officer Amir Zulfiaqar Khan remained intact in monitoring the security situation. Tariq Rasheed, who is expected to win, had earlier stated to The Express Tribune that he was not satisfied with transparency in the voter list.

Additionally, a scuffle broke out at polling station number 282, when gunmen snatched a mobile phone from the presiding officer Zia-ur-Rehman. They also marked 1,427 votes on a snatched ballot copy and dropped them in a polling booth, following which they fled the scene.

NA-140 [Kasur]

The seat was vacated by PPP’s Sardar Asif Ahmad Ali who joined PTI

Independent candidate Dr Azeem-ud-Din Zahid Lakhvi won the NA-140 Constituency seat with 47,477 votes by defeating independent candidate Malik Rashid, who bagged 47,213 votes. However, PPP’s Sardar Sarwar Khan Dogar polled 30,257 votes.

The seat was vacated by PPP’s Sardar Asif Ahmad Ali, after joining Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and complying with the party decision to boycott the current by-election.

Although both independent candidates were initially endorsed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), they received support from different local groups as well.

Lakhvi is a member of Jamiat-e-Ahle Hadith and enjoyed the support of its head Senator Sajid Meer. When Sharif withdrew his approval of Lakhvi, he along with former foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri and Sardar Waqas Akhtar staged protests in Kasur.

Both Kasuri and Asif who joined PTI supported two different candidates in the by-elections. Kasuri supported Lakhvi on a single point agenda to eliminate Malik Rashid from the constituency, on fears of losing support for the next general election.

Sardar Waqas supported PPP’s Dogar to gain its backing for the next elections.

NA-195 [Rahimyar Khan]

The constituency has a total of 270,763 voters and 206 polling stations

The constituency along the National Highway, and bordering Sindh and Balochistan, was vacated after former minister Jehangir Tareen resigned from his National Assembly seat, and joined the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Major candidates include Makhdoom Mustafa Mehmood of Pakistan Muslim League-Functional, son of Makhdoom Ahmed Mehmood, who is also the father-in-law of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s son Abdul Qadir Gilani.

Following seat adjustment, no other party – including the PPP, the PML-N and the PML-Q – fielded a candidate against him, sources said.

The other contestant was Maulvi Tariq Chohan, an independent candidate with official backing of Sipah-e-Sahaba and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, and unofficial support from the JUI-F, sources said.

The constituency, which includes sub-districts Sadiqabad and Rahimyar Khan, has a total of 270,763 voters, and 206 polling stations comprising 691 polling booths. No polling stations were declared sensitive due to the contest being largely one-sided, but 2,100 policemen were deployed to ensure peace and stability. 1,444 election staff was scheduled to be on duty.

Early predictions suggested a landslide victory for Makhdoom Mustafa Mehmood, with a 40,000 point lead.

PP-18 [Attock]

PML-N’s Azam Geeba entered politics at a provincial level for the first time

Pakistan Muslin League Nawaz’s (PML-N) Malik Muhammad Azam Geeba is likely to win the seat, as so far he bagged 34,108, while his nearest rival independent candidate Malik Amanat Khan polled 24,450 and Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Malik Sameen Khan claimed 18,070 votes.

Malik Amanat has enjoyed the support of Pakistan Muslim Leaque-Quaid’s (PML-Q) leadership.

Geeba entered politics at a provincial level for the first time and is expected to win the elections comfortably.

It is pertinent to mention that this seat has been vacated by PPP’s Malik Khurram Ali Khan, after he joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

However PML-N’s Asif Ali Malik could only bag 12,755 votes in the 2008 elections, but Geeba’s victory has revived the party’s fortunes.

PS-53 [Tando Muhammad Khan ]

Polling was marred by incident at one of the stations after Bukhari was involved in a scuffle with the lady presiding officer

The seat for PS-53 was vacated after Syed Mohsin Shah Bukhari passed away on January 14. The late MPA had been a five-time winner from the same constituency since 1988.

Ten candidates are contesting the by-elections for PS-53. The actual contest however, is between the late MPA’s widow Syeda Wahida Mohsin Bukhari, and an independent candidate Mir Mushtaq Talpur. Both are covered by three and four candidates, respectively, leaving only one Amir Zardari, a political lightweight, as the third contender.

Wahida Mohsin Bukhari, a candidate for Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), did not originally campaign for the seat as she was observing Iddat (a waiting period after the husband’s death). While she was in Iddat, the late MPA’s cousin Syed Aijaz Shah Bukhari was considered as a candidate for the seat. Protests from the local ladies wing of the PPP secured her nomination.

A total of 102 polling stations were set up in the constituency which has 113,812 registered voters. The polling started around 2 hours late in the morning but finished on time at 5 pm. According to the Returning Officer Ali Asghar Siyal, the polling went on smoothly on 100 stations while it resumed after brief disruptions at the two places. Polling has been marred by incident at one of the stations after Bukhari was involved in a scuffle with the lady presiding officer.

According to unofficial results, Syeda Wahida Mohsin Bukhari has bagged 24,980 votes while, trailing behind her, Mir Mushtaq has 11,518 votes. The vote count has been completed in 87 polling stations out of the total 102.

PS-57 [Badin]

Shah alleged that Zulfiqar Mirza had ‘imported’ gangsters who, dressed as Rangers, spread fear amongst the voters

Blaring sirens, imported double-cabins, protocols and patrols served as props in Tando Bago, a taluka in PS 57 Badin, on polling day.

“People vote to protocols, power, and money,” whispered a voter, Baqir Khan.

“They also vote when they see police and guns. We don’t talk and ask our representatives how our issues would be resolved,” he added with a smile.

Khan was seconded by a government official.

“We vote for those who show power and [Zulfiqar] Mirza knows that very well,” he said, referring to former Sindh home minister whose son Barrister Hasnain Mirza is a front-runner with a Pakistan Peoples Party ticket. “Hasnain’s parents have visited several areas and had made new promises. They offer jobs and other development works in the area,” the official added.

A senior PPP leader, Ghulam Hussain Ansari, did not disagree.

“People are supporting Hasnain because his parents have done a lot for these people. They also expect that Hasnain will bring progress in the area,” Ansari said.

Pappu Shah, an independent candidate who later joined Pakistan Muslim League-Likeminded, was considered a tough contestant for Hasnain Mirza.

He lost his position though, after Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz fielded Mir Manzoor Talpur, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat fielded Maulana Abdullah Sindhi and Ghazi Sallauddin was given a ticket by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, local observers said.

Rigging allegations

Shah, Sindhi and Talpur alleged that state machinery was being used in favour of Hasnain.

“I don’t consider this election impartial. Though people of this constituency are not satisfied with the PPP, they don’t have another option to vote for,” Sindhi said.

Shah alleged that Zulfiqar Mirza had ‘imported’ gangsters who, dressed up as Rangers, spread fear amongst the voters.

“People in my area are poor, innocent and humble and can’t afford such pressure tactics,” Shah said.

He added that about 22,000 votes were removed from the voter lists and said he would challenge the results in the apex court. Out of 115 polling stations, 30 were declared sensitive.

PP-44 [Mianwali]

PPP’s candidate Sardar Bahadar Babar Khan disappointed the party

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Malik Adil Abdullah Rokhri won the PP-44 Mianwali constituency by scoring 45,670 votes, defeating independent candidate Malik Tariq Masood Kund, who bagged 36,070 votes in a tight contest.

This seat was vacated after the death of Rokhri’s father, Amir Hayat Khan Rokhri who in the 2008 general elections won the seat by claiming 38,833 votes as an independent candidate and later joined the PML-N.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Malik Muhammad Sardar Bahadar Babar Khan disappointed the party after coming in a distant third. He had accrued 19,213 votes in the previous elections.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 26^th, 2012.

By-elections: Parties consolidate positions in build-up to Senate polls

Of the six NA seats on offer, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won two, Pakistan Mulsim League-Nawaz (PML-N) one, Awami National Party (ANP) one, Pakistan Muslim Legaue-Functional (PML-F) one and independent one. Of the four provincial seats on offer, PML-N won the two contested in Punjab and PPP won the two contested in Sindh.

All parties won within their strongholds.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidates Natasha Daultana and Ali Mosa Gilani (Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s son) won two National Assembly (NA) seats – one from Vehari-II (NA 168) and one from Multan (NA 148), respectively.

According to unofficial results, Daultana clinched 70,551 votes.  In NA 148 Multan, Gilani led with 84, 239 votes, with PML-N’s Abdul Gaffar Dogar following with 40,000 votes.

PML-N’s Sheikh Tariq Rashid was on the verge of bagging the other NA seat from Multan (NA 149).  Rashid lead the race with 23,435 votes, while PPP’s Malik Liaquat Dogar trailed at 15,814 votes.

ANP’s Himayatullah Mayar was took NA 09 from Mardan. Mayar won with 30,266 votes, while his opponent JUI-F candidate Shujaul Mulk secured 24,491 votes.

Azimuddin Lakhvi, an independent candidate, won NA-140 Kasur.

PML-F’s Makhdoom Mustafa Mehmood swept through the Rahim Yar Khan’s NA 195. Mehmood bagged 81,745 votes, defeating another independent, Tariq Chohan, who had 17,940 votes.

PML-N’s Malik Adil Abdullah Rokhri and Malik Azam Geeba snapped up PP 44 from Mianwali and PP 18 from Attock, respectively. Rokhri won by securing 45,670 votes, defeating independent candidate Malik Tariq Masood Kund who bagged 36,070 votes. Geeba led the race in Attock with 46, 976 votes, while independent candidate Malik Amanat polled 38,722 votes.

PPP’s Hasnain Ali Mirza (Zulfikar Mirza’s son) and Syeda Wahida Mohsin Shah Bukhari took PS 57 Badin and PS 53 Tando Muhammad Khan, respectively.

Mirza bagged 40,520 votes, while independent candidate Papoo Shah was runner-up with 7,983 votes. Wahida Bukhari polled 29,978 votes to clinch PS 53 Tando Muhammad Khan.

Though the polls were not very close, they were not without controversy.

There some sporadic reports of violence – but it was PPP’s Wahida Bukhari, the prospective winner in Tando Muhammad Khan, who stole the limelight – caught on camera thrashing and humiliating a lady presiding officer. The rampaging PPP candidate caused a 30-minute disruption in the voting process after she assaulted presiding officer Shagufta, accusing her of fiddling, and then went on to assault an elderly woman, Habiban Memon, while the deputy superintendent of police escorting her looked on.

“The staff was stuffing the ballots,” she told a television channel, explaining the reason behind her outburst. She did not apologise for her behaviour, however, and justified her actions. Talking to The Express Tribune, she went as far as denying the incident. “The opponents are making allegations. I just went and checked what was happening after I received a complaint of rigging.”

Her main opponent in the elections, Mir Mushtaq Talpur said he will pursue the disqualification of his opponent, Bukhari, on the charges of rigging and for the violence she created inside a polling station.

According to media reports, the Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan has taken notice of the incident.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 26^th, 2012.

By-elections for 6 national, 4 provincial assembly seats end

By-election voting for six National Assembly seats and four provincial assembly seats has ended, Express News reported on Saturday.

The seats include NA-140 from Kasur, NA-148 and NA-149 from Multan, NA-168 from Vehari, NA-09 from Mardan, PS-57 from Badin, PS-53 from Tando Mohammad Khan, PP-44 from Mianwali, NA-195 from RahimYar Khan and PP-18 from Attock.

NA-140 Kasur III

There are 249 polling stations in this area with 214,815 registered voters.

Independent candidate Dr Azeem-ud-Din Zahid Lakhvi narrowly won the seat with 47,477 votes. His opponent, another independent candidate, managed 47,213 votes. However Pakistan Peoples Party’s Sardar Sarwar Khan Dogar received 30,252 votes.

Lakhvi is the membersof Jamiat-e-Ahle Hadith and enjoyed support of its religious party head, Senator Professor Sajid Meer.

PS-57 Badin 

There are total 115 polling stations, out of which 30 were declared sensitive.  and 97,479 registered voters in this constituency.

PPP candidate Hasnain Mirza won the seat by 40,901 votes. His closest rival was Syed Ali Bakhsh Shah who got 7,866 votes andPML-N’s candidate MirManzoor Talpur remained third with 2,568 votes.

This seat was vacated when Mirza’s father, Zulfiqar Mirza resigned from the Sindh Assembly and his ministership.

NA-168 Vehari

There are total 239 polling stations and 258,233 registered voters in this constituency.

PPP candidate Natasha Daultana won the seat by secured 69,335 votes. She defeated her opponent, PML-N’s candidate Bilal Akbar Bhatti who bagged 46,636 votes.

The seat had been vacated after the death of PPP’s Azeem Khan Daultana, who was her brother.

NA-195 Rahim Yar Khan

There are 206 polling stations with 2,70000 registered voters.

This constituency was won by a joint Pakistan Muslim League –Functional (PML-F) and PML-N candidate, Makhdoomzada Mustafa Mehmood, with 81,745 votes. His opponent, an independent candidate, Maulvi Tariq Chohan bagged only 17,940.

The seat had been vacated by Jahangir Khan Tareen in order to join the Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf (PTI). Mustafa is also Tareen’s nephew and the son of PML-F Parliamentary Leader in Punjab Assembly Makdhoom Ahmad Mehmood.

NA-148 Multan

There are total 219 polling stations in this constituency. Results of only 200 polling stations had been compiled till the filing of this report.

PPP’s Ali Musa Gilani – who is also Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s son – was leading with 84,239 votes.  His opponent, PML-N’s Abdul Gaffar Dogar had so far received 40,000 votes. It is unlikely that Dogar would pull an upset over Gilani in the remaining count.

Former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had vacated this seat in order to join PTI.

PS-53 Tando Muhammad Khan

There are 102 polling stations with 113,812 registered voters. Vote count had been completed in 87 polling stations.

This seat was vacated when PPP’s Syed Mohsin Bukhari passed away on January 14.

The actual contest however, was between the late MPA’s widow Syeda Wahida Mohsin Bukhari, and an independent candidate Mir Mushtaq Talpur.

According to unofficial results, Syeda Wahida Mohsin Bukhari has bagged 24,980 votes while, trailing behind her, Mir Mushtaq has 11,518 votes.

NA-149 Multan

There are 295 polling stations, with results of 184 polling stations tabulated so far.

According to unofficial results, PML-N’s Sheikh Tariq Rashid was leading with 23,435 votes. Meanwhile, his opponent, PPP’s Malik Liaqat Dogar had secured 15,814 votes.

This seat was vacated by PML-N’s Makhdoom Javed Hashmi before joining PTI.

PP-44 Mianwali

PML-N’s Malik Adil Abdullah Rokhri won the PP-44 Mianwali constituency by scoring 45,670, defeating independent candidate Malik Tariq Masood Kund, who bagged 36,070 votes in a tight contest.

This seat was vacated after the death of Rokhri’s father, Amir Hayat Khan Rokhri.

PP-18 Attock IV

There are a total of 170 polling stations with 197,730 registered voters.

PML-N candidate Malik Muhammad Azam Geeba was likely to win the seat, since he lead with 34,108 votes at last count. His closest opponent, independent candidate Malik Amanat Khan, had received 24,450. PPP’s Malik Sameen Khan had received 18,070 votes.

This seat was vacated by PPP’s Malik Khurram Ali Khan before joining PTI.

The PTI had boycotted the by-polls.

Earlier during the day, in Multan, members of PML-N stormed the polling station and protested by saying that the polling was rigged. The polling was stopped for a certain period of time, but resumed when the agents assured that no rigging was taking place.

Similarly in Vehari, the polling was temporarily halted after it was alleged that a polling agent from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was stamping the votes himself.

In Kasur, the polling was disrupted after two groups clashed with each other, while in Multan and Vehari, people protested against the absence of names in the voters’ list.

There were 10 candidates in RahimYar Khan, while only two of them hired polling agents.

In Mardan, 52 polling stations were declared sensitive, where Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam’s (JUI) Maulana Shujaul Mulk and Awami National Party’s (ANP) Himayatullah Khan are contesting against each other.

In Kasur, there were 15 candidates but sources say that the competition was between PPP’s Sardar Sarwar Dogar, PML-N’s Malik Rasheed Ahmed and an independent candidate, Dr Azeemuddin.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s son Ali Mosa Gilani and PML-N’s Abdul Ghaffar Dogar are contesting against each other in Multan.

The Badin seat PS-57 fell vacant after former Sindh home minister Zulfiqar Mirza resigned and now his son Hasnain Mirza is standing against Syed Ali Bux for the seat.

Vote count begins in by-elections

Vote counting began after the completion of polling time on six National Assembly and four provincial assemblies seats in by-election Saturday. The polling process, started at 8 am and   concluded at 5pm without any break. The voting for six NA seats took place on constituencies of NA 9 Mardan I, NA 140 Kasur III, NA 148 Multan I, NA 149 Multan II, NA 168 Vehari III and NA 195 Rahim Yar …

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By-elections for 6 national, 4 provincial assembly seats underway

By-election voting for six National Assembly seats and four provincial assembly seats is currently underway, Express News reported on Saturday.

The seats include NA-140 from Kasur, NA-148 and NA-149 from Multan, NA-168 from Vehari, NA-09 from Mardan, PS-57 from Badin, PS-53 from Tando Mohammad Khan, PP-44 from Mianwali, NA-195 from RahimYar Khan and PP-18 from Attock.

In Multan, during the polling, members of Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) stormed the polling station and protested by saying that the polling was rigged. The polling was stopped for a certain period of time, but resumed when the agents assured that no rigging was taking place.

Similarly in Vehari, the polling was temporarily halted after it was alleged that a polling agent from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was stamping the votes himself.

In Kasur, the polling was disrupted after two groups clashed with each other, while in Multan and Vehari, people protested against the absence of names in the voters’ list.

There were 10 candidates in RahimYar Khan, while only two of them hired polling agents.

In Mardan, 52 polling stations were declared sensitive, where Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam’s (JUI) Maulana Shujaul Mulk and Awami National Party’s (ANP) Himayatullah Khan are contesting against each other.

In Kasur, there were 15 candidates but sources say that the competition was between PPP’s Sardar Sarwar Dogar, PML-N’s Malik Rasheed Ahmed and an independent candidate, Dr Azeemuddin.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s son Ali Mosa Gilani and PML-N’s Abdul Ghaffar Dogar are contesting against each other in Multan.

The Badin seat PS-57 fell vacant after former Sindh home minister Zulfiqar Mirza resigned and now his son Hasnain Mirza is standing against Syed Ali Bux for the seat.

Voting for 10 constituencies continue

By-elections for 10 seats of National and provincial assemblies continued on Saturday across the country. Poll rigging and exchange of fire between rival groups disturbed voting in different constituencies of National Assembly and provincial assemblies reported.
At least three people were injured in Mianwali (Punjab) and Mardan (KP) as rival groups clashed. However, the polling was continued in …

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Forgery: Minister’s degree belongs to warden, PHC told

A divisional bench of the PHC, comprising Justice Muftahuddin and Justice Mian Fasihul Mulk, was hearing a writ petition lodged by Farman Ali, a voter from Mardan, challenging the legitimacy of the minister’s degree.

The court was informed that Khan’s BA degree was, in fact, fake and that the original owner of the degree was Rehim Khan, a resident of Lakki Marwat and a traffic police inspector.

Deputy Registrar Degree Cell Hafizullah Khattak, Superintendent Degree Cell Altaf and Assistant Controller Naseer Khan of GU informed the court that they were not aware of the statement confirming the originality of the minister’s degree. They added that they were asked to sign a white paper.

“All these signatures are fakes and we were not aware of [the document]. This is not our statement,” the officials said.

Senior Minister Rahimdad Khan contested against Shahid Khan and Riaz Khattak in the general elections held in 2007 from PK-27 Mardan.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2012.

5 killed in Mardan road mishap

Five people, including two women and a child were killed in road accident Mardan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday.
According to reports, the incident took place near Tablighi Jamat Markaz in Takht Bai area. Police said a car collided head on with a pickup truck. The dead and injured were shifted to a nearby hospital.

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Big jolt for N as 3 senior KPK leaders quit

MARDAN – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz received another jolt on Wednesday after the departure of senior leaguer Makhdoom Javed Hashmi from the party last year, as its three senior leaders from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa announced to quit the party.
PML-N central leader Saranjaam Khan, besides Abdul Subhaan Khan and Bahadar Khan, who had braved oppressions and torture during the military regime and …

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Students display artistic flair

PESHAWAR, Jan 31: A total of 196 students from Bannu, D.I. Khan, Lakki Marwat, Charsadda, Swabi, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar and Federally Administered Tribal Areas on Tuesday exhibited their flair for communication

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Via DAWN.com

Industrialists to challenge fuel adjustment

PESHAWAR, Jan 23: Industrialists of Mardan and Nowshera on Monday opposed fuel adjustment in electricity bills and warned that if the recent increase in fuel adjustment was not withdrawn, they would shut down their businesses.

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Via DAWN.com

Hoti favours early polls after consensus

MARDAN, Jan 14: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on Saturday favoured early elections in the country but said their holding was conditional on approval by all political parties.

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Via DAWN.com

Pir Pagara funeral prayers offered

The funeral prayers of Pir Pagara Syed Mardan Shah offered amidst thousands of mourning people including mureed and devotees here in Pir Jo Goth on Thursday.
Several politicians who attended the funeral include Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, former Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, former Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain …

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Syed Sibghatullah Rashdi named 8th Pir of Hur Jamaat

Syed Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi, the elder son of Late Pir Syed Mardan Shah II or Pir Pagara, has been named the 8th Pir of the Hur Jamaat.
The decision was taken in a meeting of Khalifas of Hur Jamaat from Pakistan and India, held in Pir Jo Goth. while Dastarbandi of new Pir Pagara was also made after announcement of the name.
It should be mentioned here that four sons of late Pir Pagara , Pir …

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Pir Pagara is no more

LONDON – Spiritual leader of Hur Community and Chief of Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) Pir Mardan Shah-II, more commonly known as Pir Pagara, breathed his last at the age of 83 here on Tuesday, reported a private TV channel.
Pir Pagara was taken to a hospital in London by a special air ambulance on January 5, along with his physician and family, as he suffered infection following treatment …

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Eight militants arrested in Mardan after fire exchange, one policeman killed

A police sub inspector was killed in clashes with militants here in Mardan on Friday during which police arrested eight militants.
According to police the clashes took place in Bakhshali area of Mardan where heavy fire exchange was witnessed when police conducted search operations.
A sub inspector was killed while a militant got injured in the clash.
The police arrested eight militants after fire …

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