A day after the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazlur Rehman faction) unveiled its election candidates for Balochistan, the politico-religious party announced its candidates for national and provincial assemblies constituencies in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Federally-Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).
Out of the total 47 National Assembly constituencies in K-P and Fata, the party announced candidates for 45. For two constituencies – NA-4 (Peshawar) and NA-40 (Tribal Area V) – candidates will be announced later. Similarly, out of the 99 provincial assembly constituencies, the party awarded tickets to 96 candidates. Candidate for PK-69 (Tank) will be announced later, while no candidates have been fielded for two constituencies – PK-67 (DI Khan-IV) and PK-68 (DI Khan-V) – under a seat-to-seat adjustment with Israrullah Khan Gandapur and Javed Akbar Khan.
The party chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, will contest three seats – NA-24 (DI Khan), NA-25 (DI Khan-cum-Tank) and NA-27 (Lakki Marwat). The Maulana’s brother, Maulana Lutfur Rehman, will run for two provincial assembly seats – PK-66 (DI Khan-III) and PK-64 (DI Khan-I).
Interestingly, Lutftur Rehman is also being tipped as JUI-F’s potential pick for the provincial chief minister slot in case the party wins a majority. Former chief minister Akram Khan Durrani, who also belongs to the JUI-F, has also been awarded a ticket for National Assembly constituency NA-26 (Bannu). This reinforces the perception that Lutfur Rehman might be eyeing the top slot.
Unveiling party’s candidates, JUI-F Deputy Provincial Amir Maulana Attaur Rehman said that his party was also in talks with other political groups for seat-to-seat adjustment across the province. If that materialised, the JUI-F candidates might withdraw from the race in some constituencies.
Attaur Rehman said that any objection against the award of tickets could be lodged with the party’s federal parliamentary board. “If a member/worker defies the party’s decision and contests elections independently, then his basic membership will be terminated,” he warned.
On the occasion, PML-Q leader from Mansehra Gul Zareen Khan defected to the JUI-F. He was awarded ticket for PK-58 (Mansehra-VI). Other parties, including ANP and PPP, have not announced their candidates thus far due to fears that some of their leaders might defect to the JUI-F.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 26th, 2013.