The electoral battleground in National Assembly Constituency NA-8 Chakwal 1 is set for a showdown on February 8th. Major (Retd) Tahir Iqbal of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan of Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP), Malik Iftikhar Ahmed of Jamaat-e-Islami, and independent candidate Chaudhry Ayaz Amir are poised for a fierce contest.
The PML-N has historically dominated this constituency, securing victory seven times out of the last nine general elections, with PML-Q and PTI each claiming one win.
NA-58 Chakwal 1, located in Rawalpindi Division, boasts 594,000 registered voters, comprising 340,406 males and 293,602 females. The constituency encompasses Tehsil Chakwal, Choa Saidan Shahpuri, and select urban and rural areas of Tehsil Kallar Kahar, including two Punjab Assembly seats, PP-20 and PP-21.
Retired Lieutenant General Abdul Majeed Malik enjoyed five consecutive terms of success from 1985 to 1997 in NA-8. His nephew, Major Retired Tahir Iqbal, tasted victory in 2002 and 2013 under PML-Q and PML-N, respectively, but faced defeat in 2018. Confident in a resurgence of PML-N's fortunes, Tahir Iqbal anticipates a triumphant return to power.
Major retired Tahir Iqbal, representing the Muslim League-N, expressed optimism about the unity within their election campaign. He voiced hopes for a resounding victory, emphasizing the collective support of his colleagues, including Sardar Abbas Sahib of PML-N. He underscored the unity of purpose among their group, asserting that all members are committed to voting in favor of their party symbol, the lion.
In 2008, Chaudhry Ayaz Amir secured victory in this constituency under the banner of the Muslim League-N. Now contesting as an independent candidate, Ayaz Amir remains confident in the progress of his campaign. He highlighted the positive momentum and widespread support among fellow candidates. Ayaz Amir condemned instances of government interference in the electoral process, advocating for impartiality and fairness in election administration.
In the 2018 elections, Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan showcased his prowess with a metaphorical cricket six. However, he has since switched party affiliations and embarked on a new political journey with a different strategy.
Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan, now contesting as a PPP candidate, expressed sincere hopes for continued support from the people in the upcoming election. He believes that the increasing enthusiasm and sympathy of the electorate signify the growing strength of the People's Party's campaign.
NA-58 is characterized by notable communities such as Awan, Mughal, Arain, and Sadat. While public issues are shared among all residents, the political landscape and preferences vary across these diverse communities.
In addition to Major Retired Tahir Iqbal, Sardar Zulfikar Ali Khan, Ayaz Amir, JUI, Jamaat-e-Islami, TLP, and several independent candidates are also participating in the electoral contest. The outcome of the February 8th election will determine whether the PML-N can wash away the defeat from 2018.
