PESHAWAR: As Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is yet to announce official result of Khyber Pukhtunkhaw (KPK) local bodies elections, ruling Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) has suffered a major setback by losing mayorship of Peshawar to Jamiat Ulama e Islam Fazal (JUI- F).
According to un-official result, JUI-F candidate, Zubair Ali, defeated PTI candidate, Rizwan Bangash, in Peshawar mayorship election by a margin of over 12 thousand votes. JUI -F won two Mayor seats in KPK. Ruling party, PTI, could not win even a single seat of mayor.
The PTI defeat in KPK local bidies have creates many serious questions for it.
PTI KPK have conceded defeat in local body elections. Provincial minister, Shaukat Yousaf Zai, in his remarks on defeat on Monday said price- hike was major reason for PTI defeat in KPK local bodies elections. Federal minister, Shibli Faraz made interesting comments on PTI defeat. He said ” PTI defeated PTI in local bodies elections in KPK”.
JUI-F Maulana Fazal ur Rehman in his media talk said ” Local bodies elections confirmed wrongdoing/ rigging in general elections in 2018 elections.
Initial results of KPK local bodies elections suggested Awami National Party (ANP) and Jamiat Ulema Islam Fazal JUI (F) in lead over ruling Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI). Whereas, independent won majority of seats in the contest in KPK.
The local bodies elections held in KPK on December 19, 2021 were mostly deadly. In a number of districts, the political opponents used automatic weapons, rockets and machine guns against each other. In some areas, rockets were fired on opponents camps. The clashes and firing contunued through out the day on elections day in most parts of the procince which claimed 5 precious lives, besides leaving dozens others injured.
Federal minister, Shibli Faraz was ambushed in Dara Adam Khail when he was coming back to Islamabad after casting his vote in the local bodies elections in his home constituency in Kohat. He, however, remained safe in the firing. His guard and driver got injured in the firing. Sibli Faraz confirmed firing to target him in a TV show late Sunday evening. There were serious complaints of wrongdoings by the candidates in many constituencies of KPK. The Pakistan People Party (PPP) lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of wrongdoings in the election of mayor for Peshawar. The PPP complained that the election staff issued in- complete form 45 to favour PTI candidate.
The loss to PTI in KPK local bodies elections is of extraordinary significance in the political scenario. It sets a new trend in the national politics. The defeat to PTI in KPK which had been its political fort for the last many years is indicative of mistrust of the masses in PTI policies. The political pundits were hinting at possible defeat to PTI in KPK local bodies elections due to unbridled price-hike in the country in Imran Khan rule.
