In line with the nationwide trend, the initial phase of the 2024 general elections has kicked off in Khushab. While there were incidents of rounding up during the collection of nomination forms, ultimately, all candidates successfully submitted their papers. The election campaign is commencing at a gradual pace, with party ticket announcements still pending.

In the 2018 general elections, district Khushab was allocated two national and three provincial seats.

Umar Aslam Awan, representing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), won against Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) candidate Sumaira Malik in NA-93 Khushab One (comprising Nowshera Tehsil and Khushab). In the second constituency, NA-94 Khushab 2 (covering Tehsil Quaidabad and Noorpur Thal), PTI’s Malik Ehsan Tiwana defeated PML-N’s Shakir Bashir Awan.

In the previous election, PTI’s Fateh Khaliq Bandial won, defeating PML-N’s Karam Elahi Bandial in PP-82 Khushab One (covering Nowshera and Khushab). While running as an independent candidate, Ghulam Rasool Singha won in PP-83 Khushab 2 (encompassing Khushab and Joharabad) and later joined PTI.

In 2022, following the defection of Ghulam Rasool and other members, a by-election took place in this constituency. Hasan Aslam Awan, representing PTI, won, while Asif Bha secured the second position as an independent candidate.

Khushab new delimitation 2023

2018 National Assembly Constituency NA-93 Khushab 1 is now NA-87 Khushab 1
NA-93 Khushab One now includes Nowshera Tehsil and Khushab. The recent constituency changes exclude the entire population of Quaidabad Tehsil, while incorporating the municipal committee of Joharabad town in Khushab Tehsil, along with most villages, town committee Hadali, and Matha Towana.

The 2018 National Assembly Constituency NA-94 Khushab 2 is now NA-88 Khushab 2
Under the 2023 delimitations, significant changes have occurred in the constituency, now known as NA-88 Khushab 2. It includes the population of Noorpur Thal and Quaidabad Tehsil, with the entire Quaidabad Tehsil being newly incorporated. In exchange, the municipal committee of Joharabad town in Khushab Tehsil, along with numerous villages, Town Committee Hadali, and Town Committee Matha Twana, have been excluded from the constituency.

The 2018 Provincial Constituency PP-82 Khushab 1 is now PP-81 Khushab 1
In the Khushab District, this Provincial Assembly Constituency covers Nowshera Tehsil. Previously, it comprised most villages of Quaidabad Tehsil. However, with the new constituency delineations, all villages from Quaidabad Tehsil have been excluded. In their place, Kund North, Khushab one, and Khushab two constituencies of Khushab tehsil have been included.

The 2018 Provincial Constituency PP 83 Khushab 2 is now PP 82 Khushab 2
This urban constituency in the Khushab district includes the towns of Joharabad, Hadali, and Mitha Towana. Under the new constituency delineations, three legislative constituencies of Khushab Tehsil, Kund North, Khushab One, and Khushab Doku, have been removed from this constituency. In their place, the Mutha Towana Municipal Committee and two Patwar Circles, Butala and Bazar South, have been added. Previously, it encompassed the entire Joharabad Legislative Constituency of Khushab Tehsil, but now most of its Patwar Circle has been excluded.

The 2018 Provincial Constituency PP-84 Khushab 3 is now PP-83 Khushab 3
This constituency comprises Noorpur Thal Tehsil. Significant changes have been made under the new constituencies, with the removal of most villages from Pura Adhikot, Matha Towana Law, and Rang Pura of Noorpur Tehsil. Additionally, the Law Goi constituency of Qaidahabad Tehsil has been excluded. Five patwar circles from Joharabad town of Khushab Tehsil have been added to this constituency.

PP-84 Khushab 4
A new provincial assembly constituency has been added in Khushab district, bringing the total to four from the previous three. PP 84 Khushab Four now includes the entirety of Quaidabad Tehsil and the villages of Noorpur Tehsil, with an estimated population of around 90,000.

PML-N’s Malik Waris Kallu served as a member of the provincial assembly (MPA) from PP-84 Khushab 3 (Girot, Mitha Tiwana). Following his passing, his son, Malik Muazzam Kallu, succeeded him and was elected on the PML-N ticket.

In the recent constituency delimitation, this district retained its two national constituencies, but the number of provincial seats increased from three to four.

Shakir Bashir Awan and Sumaira Malik from the Nawab of Kalabagh family are vying for PML-N tickets in NA-87 Khushab One in the upcoming elections.

The party’s decision is pending. Muhammad Ali Sawal is the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate for this constituency. Former PTI MNA Umar Aslam Awan has also submitted his nomination papers for this election.

Professor Muhammad Imran keeps a close watch on local politics. He says that PML-N leaders Sumaira Malik and Shakir Bashir have served in the National Assembly (NA) more than once. Although there’s a contest between the two for the PML-N ticket on NA-87, it seems likely that Shakir Bashir will get the ticket, and Sumaira Malik might be offered a special seat or Senate membership.

He suggests that if former MNA Malik Umar Aslam Awan cannot run in the election with PTI, he can participate as an independent candidate or represent the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP). “Expect strong competition in this constituency.”

In the National Constituency NA-88 Khushab-2, former PML-N MPA Malik Moazzam Kallu and IPP candidate Gul Asghar Baghoor are competing. Another contender is Malik Haroon Bandial, brother of renowned transporter Malik Farooq Bandial, who is currently unaffiliated with any party.

Mufti Sultan Ahmad Kallu from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) and Muhammad Waris Jasra, Advocate, from Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) are contesting as candidates in this constituency.

In PP-81 Khushab One, no major political party has declared its candidate yet.

Ameer Hyder Singha is running as the candidate for the IPP in this constituency. Javed Awan, a three-time elected MPA, is considering options with both the PML-N and the PPP. Samaira Malik is seeking a PML-N ticket for her son, Salar Awan, from this constituency. If Javed Awan joins PML-N, Azhar Awan will be the PPP candidate.

PP-81 Khushab One is part of National Constituency NA-87, featuring three contenders with their individual vote banks: Ameer Hyder Singha, Javed Awan, and Azhar Awan. Former PTI MNA Umar Aslam Awan is also a formidable candidate in this constituency. Hasan Aizaz ul Hasan has also submitted nomination papers.

The scenario in PP-82 Khushab Two is intriguing, with Asif Bha representing PML-N as a three-time Punjab Assembly (MPA) member. The Singha family, including Ameer Hyder, resides in the same constituency, though he is a candidate from PP-81. Sardar Altaf Raza Baloch is an independent candidate but may align with the IPP. Hamid Wadhal is being considered as a potential PPP candidate in neighbouring constituencies, although he has not yet initiated his election campaign.

Former MPA Hasan Aslam Awan and PTI District President Masood Kundaan are being considered for this seat, while Dr Ziaullah Malik represents JI. Discussions about seat adjustments between the IPP and PML-N in this constituency are ongoing, but no confirmation or denial has been provided so far.

Mehran Khan, a local librarian and intellectual in Khushab, says that Sardar Altaf Baloch entering the election would be a setback for the Asif Bha group, given their historical association. The PPP has extended a ticket offer for this seat to the head of the Baloch family, Shafqat Khan Baloch, but a response is still pending.

In PP-83 Khushab 3, Ali Hussain Baloch represents PML-N, while Malik Ehsanullah Tiwana is the candidate for IPP. Amjad Gujjar is anticipating a PTI ticket for this constituency.

In the national seat NA-88, there is an unexpected alliance between Kallu Baloch and Tiwana Baghoor, a recent development that surprised many. Despite past electoral rivalries between these groups, Ali Hussain Baloch and Muazzam Kallu are currently leading a joint campaign for PML-N, while Malik Ehsan Tiwana and Gul Asghar Baghoor are united under the IPP platform.

According to Tasawwur Hussain, an Assistant Director and resident, the creation of new constituencies has adversely affected Muazzam Kallu, resulting in a division of the Kallu community’s vote bank. In the last provincial by-election, Ali Hussain Baloch lost to Muazzam Kallu by a narrow margin of about seven votes. Therefore, their current alliance is seen as mutually beneficial for both candidates, especially considering the significant votes from the Baloch community in the area.

On the other hand, Ehsan Tiwana is known for his involvement in factional politics and has remained active for several decades. He has contributed significantly to developmental projects in the area but has switched political allegiances multiple times.

In Provincial Constituency 84 Khushab Four, Karam Elahi Bandial represents PML-N, while Zubair Hayat Utra is vying for the IPP ticket. PTI’s Fateh Khaliq Bandial and Akram Niazi have also filed nomination papers from this constituency.

This provincial constituency falls under the National Seat NA-88. The candidate for this seat, Karam Elahi Bandial, is an experienced politician and a two-time member of the Punjab Assembly. Fateh Khaliq Bandial is a former MPA of the PTI. Malik Zubair Hayat, a new face in politics, comes from a family with a political legacy. His father, Malik Hayat Utra, was elected MPA from here, and he, himself has also served as UC Chairman.
While interesting contests are expected on many seats, the allocation of party tickets and the alignment of local factions will be pivotal in determining the candidates’ outcomes.