PESHAWAR: Local Government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have created a political stir at the national level, with the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) seems embarrassed by the election results while the opposition is looking at the results as a “ray of hope”.
The PTI was elected in 2013 and was re-elected in 2018 but now the LG polls outcome have put the party in a difficult position. The deep differences in the party and flawed nomination of candidates besides inflation and unemployment have cost the PTI in the election.
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Yesterday, Prime Minister Imran Khan urged the PTI Punjab leadership to learn a lesson from the KP polls results. He has formed 21-member ‘supreme’ committee to monitor the PTI’s preparation and submit reports to premier. PM Khan directed the Punjab government to ensure the prevision of ‘health card’ to every Punjab resident before the polls.
The question arises as to whether the results of the elections held in 17 KP districts could have any effect on politics in at national and the provincial levels. Analysts say that the victory of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) in the local has not only affected the PTI but also other major political parties such as the Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PM-N) and Awami National Party (ANP). The election shows that the wind is blowing in the opposite direction and its effects may be felt in the upcoming local government elections in the remaining KP district. The JUI-F has gained a majority in areas which were earlier considered strongholds of other political parties.
In the past, most of the JUI-F seats were from the southern districts, including Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank and Karak, but this time it has gained a strong position in the provincial capital Peshawar. Earlier, Peshawar was considered a stronghold of the ANP and the PPP. However, in 2013, the PTI almost wiped out all political parties from the provincial capital.
In the recent elections, Jamiat has won in four of the six tehsils of Peshawar. Apart from this, JUI-F has also won seats in Mardan and Charsadda strongholds of ANP. In Charsadda, Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpoa’s Qaumi Watan Party has suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of JUI-F.