Ex-PMLN stalwart contesting as independent in Abbottabad

ABBOTTABAD: Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Abbassi, a former chief minister and governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has chosen to contest as an independent candidate in the upcoming general elections from the National Assembly constituency NA-16.

He will face competition from Murtaza Javed Abbassi of PML-N, the former deputy speaker of the National Assembly, and Ali Asghar Khan, an independent candidate supported by PTI.

Sardar Mehtab, a multiple-time MNA from NA-17 Abbottabad, decided to contest from the neighbouring NA-16 due to delimitation, which shifted his provincial assembly constituency, including his home village in Bakote circle, to NA-16. This move comes after he refrained from contesting the 2018 elections for the same reason.

The competition in NA-16, with 17 candidates in the fray, is expected to be intense, particularly between Sardar Mehtab, Murtaza Javed and Ali Asghar Khan. In recent weeks, Sardar Mehtab’s camp has gained support from various influential figures, including the former district nazim and PTI-P leader Sardar Sher Bahadur. His public meeting scheduled in Havelian is anticipated to reshape the political dynamics of NA-16.

Despite facing expulsion from his own party PML-N for violating party discipline, Sardar Mehtab campaign has been progressing smoothly. The expulsion stemmed from his decision to contest as an independent candidate against the party’s chosen candidate. Sardar Mehtab has also strategically extended support to other candidates, such as Ali Khan Jadoon from NA-17, causing potential setbacks for PML-N candidates.

In a bold political move, Sardar Mehtab announced support for Ali Khan Jadoon, a PTI-backed candidate from NA-17, which might impact the chances of PML-N candidate Mohabat Awan in the same constituency. Moreover, his endorsement of Arshid Awan, a PML-N candidate from PK-45 against former speaker provincial assembly Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani, and support for former senator Javed Abbassi from PK-43, contesting independently, indicates his active involvement in local politics.

According to the Election Commission, NA-16 comprises 554,426 voters, including 260,862 male and 293,564 female voters, with 463 polling stations and 1307 booths. The upcoming election in NA-16 is poised to be a closely watched and fiercely contested affair with Sardar Mehtab Ahmed in the spotlight.