News Analysis |
The unraveling results have shaken many Pakistani Political leaders whose historical statistics on polling results led to a prediction of guaranteed winnings in the 2018 general elections.
Sources stated that former interior minister was previously concerned that his contest with PML-N would benefit PTI candidates like Ghulam Sarwar Khan who was contesting from NA-59 and NA-63.
Chaudhry Nisar, a former member of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and the current independent contestant is facing losses due to the strict competition. He contested from 4 constituencies which included NA-59, NA-63, PP-10, and PP-12 this year.
According to unofficial announcements results have been collected from 20% polling stations from NA-59 Rawalpindi. Showing a total of 16,200 votes secured by Ghulam Sarwar Khan, member of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan’s lagged behind with 8,500 votes.
Read more: Chaudhry Nisar demands pay raise but Nawaz Sharif has gone bankrupt
Similarly, in NA-63 (Rawalpindi 7), unofficial announcements reported a collection of 64% from polling stations showing Ghulam Sarwar Khan leading again. Being surpassed by Ghulam Sarwar Khan with 63,729 votes, the breakdown exhibited Chaudhry Nisar securing 40,778 votes.
The awaited results indicated that Chaudhry Nisar was facing defeats, breaking his 3 consecutive winnings since 2002. Chaudhry Nisar had a 20-year experience of winning 8 times in which he had continuous winnings from NA-52 (Rawalpindi 3). However, in the recent delimitation process undertaken by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)’s decision led to divisions of his vote bank.
Now, NA-59 comprised of almost 60% of areas from NA-52 which included areas of Chakri, Chontra, Saddar, Baroni, Adiyala, Rawat, etc.
Chaudhry Nisar was seen winning in the previous elections from tickets earned through Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), however recent disentanglements might have led to Chaudhry Nisar’s unpredicted defeat.
Earlier, Nisar indirectly addressed former PM and leader of PML-N, stating “I ask the people of Jati Umrah to not ridicule themselves by staging such dramas and not to ridicule me either.”
He started his political career from 1985 when he contested for the first time from NA-52. He was elected multiple times from the same constituency which resulted in undefeated results.
In 1988 after winning from the same constituency he was appointed as the Federal Minister for Science and Technology. He had previously contested from Islami Jamhoori Ittihad’s ticket, and he developed a close fondness towards Nawaz Sharif during Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq’s time.
Read more: Chaudhry Nisar reprimands the Interior Minister for not placing Nawaz Sharif’s…
PARTING WAYS: NISAR AND NAWAZ
After the 2013 General Elections, Chaudhry Nisar won with 1,32,905 votes in NA-52. However soon after the chaos witnessed among the members of PML-N, Nisar too had his differences.
When certain cabinet members, close to the former Prime Minister (PM) spoke aggressively on the khaki-mufti relations, Chaudhry Nisar was found saying things which clashed with their assertions.
Even though Chaudhry Nisar had friendly relations with Shahbaz Sharif, that still didn’t add up as the situation exacerbated when Maryam Nawaz talked about giving the party ticket. Statements by Nisar allegedly offended Nawaz, and backlashes were witnessed prior to elections as well.
During a press conference held in Islamabad, where Nisar stated that”These Sharifs will not able to show their faces anywhere if I decide to open my mouth.”
Showing a total of 16,200 votes secured by Ghulam Sarwar Khan, member of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan’s lagged behind with 8,500 votes.
An anonymous PML-N senator was heard stating that, “They(party) believe that Nisar should be cut down to size which is why he has not been given the leverage to not face candidates on the four seats”, during these elections.
Read more: Chaudhry Nisar’s political ascendancy at a crossroads
Earlier, Nisar indirectly addressed former PM and leader of PML-N, stating “I ask the people of Jati Umrah to not ridicule themselves by staging such dramas and not to ridicule me either.”
His statement came in the backdrop of the reports that PML-N had linked the award of tickets to Nisar with his appearance before the party’s parliamentary board for an interview.
Nisar felt this was a deliberate move by PML-N to belittle him, as he believed this was happening for the first time in his career. He stated that he never asked for a ticket and will not appear before any board to “beg”. Maryam Nawaz, in order to make a statement, tweeted a picture of Shehbaz Sharif appearing before the interview board for a ticket.
“Did it happen in the past that senior most members of the party had to appear before the parliamentary board for the party ticket?” he asked in a statement. Nisar’s actions offended the former PM and his aides who were considering to formally expel Nisar from PML-N by terminating his basic membership.
Anticipating what the future held in this party for Nisar, he announced in a speech to part ways with PML-N.
Nisar was aware of the situation that would unfold if he tried to make his way back and he was also aware of how the party would field candidates against him, so he adopted a reconciliatory tone. However, Nawaz claimed to have known Nisar’s nature and said, “This wouldn’t work.” Further adding that candidates contesting on all four seats is “a big blow to Nisar.”
Sources stated that former interior minister was previously concerned that his contest with PML-N would benefit PTI candidates like Ghulam Sarwar Khan who was contesting from NA-59 and NA-63.
And his concerns proved to be true.
Due to historical evidence of his undefeated victories, losing was never Nisar’s cup of tea. As his supporters witness the loss of this individual candidate they undergo the phrase, “there’s a first time for everything.”