Tough competition between PTI, PML-N for PK-30

F.P. Report

ABBOTTABAD: Tough competition is expected between PTI and PML-N candidates for PK-30 Balakot by-elections to be held on February 26.

The PTI and PML-N candidates have geared up their election drive despite the fact that most of the areas in Tehsil Balakot received heavy snowfall and roads are blocked.

A nail-biting competition is expected between the two mainstream political parties where PTI has awarded the ticket to Syed Ahmed Shah and PML-N has given the ticket to the Mazhar Ali Qasim.

PTI candidate for PK-30 Balakot Syed Ahmed Shah has started his political career in 2008 as district Nazim Mansehra, during 2008 he also contested from the same constituency against PML-N candidate Mian Zia ur Rehman and Mazhar Ali Qasim and won by getting 17100 votes, the then KP provincial government gave him the portfolio of minister for Commerce and Industries.

PML-N Mahzar Ali Qasim started his career in 2002 when he contested the election from PK-30 and won the election as independent candidate.

During the general elections of 2013 Mian Zia ur Rehman of PML-N remained victorious by bagging 24300 votes, again their close contender Mazhar Ali Qasim and Syed Ahmed Shah remained on 2nd and third position.

Again during the general elections of 2018 luck favored the candidate of P L-N Mian Zia ur Rehman who won the election by securing 29468 votes against Syed Ahmed Hussain Shah who got 29214 votes, the difference between the two candidates was only of 254 votes.

PML-N member KP assembly Mian Zia ur Rehman was disqualified for life by the Supreme Court of Pakistan on fake degree case.

Interestingly all rivals of PK-30 have formed two groups and joins hand to beat each other, Mian Zia ur Rehman and Mazhar Qasim have gathered while Sardar Mushtaq and Syed Ahmed Shah formed an alliance.