Battle for Swat-III Heats Up as ANP, PPP Challenge Mahmood

APP
Swat: The Awami National Party (ANP) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidates have emerged as formidable contenders, posing a significant challenge to former Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in his native constituency of the National Assembly, NA-4 Swat-III.
Political analysts anticipate a tightly contested electoral battle among Brigadier (retd) Mohammad Saleem of the ANP, Kamal Khan of the PPP, and Mahmood Khan of the PTIP in the National Assembly constituency NA-4 Swat-III.
Additional candidates, including Sohail Sultan supported by the PTI, Rahimullah from the JUI-F, Fazal Subhan representing the Jamaat-i-Islami, Mohammad Raza Khan from the Tahrik Labaik Pakistan, and Malik Zada of the Pakhtunkhwa National Awami Party, have the potential to spring surprises on polling day.
AH Hilali, senior political analyst, emphasized the uniqueness of Swat’s political landscape. Voters in the region, he noted, balance loyalty to established parties with the promises of new entrants, making the upcoming February 8, 2024, elections a closely monitored event.
Hilali highlighted that while Swat was once considered a stronghold of the PTI, which dominated the 2013 and 2018 general elections in the district, the dynamics had shifted. He suggested that in the 2024 elections, PTI-backed candidates might find it challenging to replicate their previous success in Swat, where a split mandate is expected.

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According to Hilali, the fact that PTI nominees are running independently with different symbols could potentially confuse the party’s voters. In such a scenario, he believes that the PTI-P could benefit in Swat.
After the May 9 violent protests, Mahmood Khan reportedly distanced himself from the PTI and joined the PTI-P, founded by former chief minister Pervez Khattak. Observers note Mahmood Khan’s political influence in his home district, attributing it to the implementation of major development projects, such as the Swat motorway, and the provision of government jobs to locals. This influence is expected to work in his favor during the elections.
In Swat, where voters often prioritize government job opportunities over development projects, Mahmood Khan and former MPA Mohibullah Khan, both PTI-P nominees, are likely to attract attention on election day. Mahmood Khan is contesting for the National Assembly seat NA-4 and provincial assembly seat PK-10, while Mohibullah will run in the PK-9 constituency.
NA-4 Swat-III was established in the 2018 general election, separating Tehsils Kabal and Matta from NA-3 Swat. In 2018, former MNA Murad Saeed won NA-3 with 71,600 votes against ANP’s Saleem Khan, who secured 30,975 votes.
Political analyst AH Hilali highlighted the potential challenges of mobilizing voters in the mountainous areas of Swat, particularly in the event of snowfall and rains. The aftermath of the 2022 floods has also impacted communication infrastructure and the local hotel industry, posing a significant challenge for the incoming government.
Addressing poverty, unemployment, and economic upliftment are crucial issues in the region, and candidates presenting effective solutions are likely to gain an advantage. As the election campaign intensifies, candidates are actively engaging in public meetings, rallies, and door-to-door campaigns.
Young voters are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of the February 8, 2024, elections. Leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz have expressed confidence in winning national and provincial assembly seats in the Swat region, pledging support for the party’s nominees, including Amir Muqam (NA-2), Wajid Ali Khan (NA-3), and Irshad Khan (PK-6). As polling day approaches, the campaign activity is expected to escalate further in Swat.