South Punjab: A Stronghold for Political Dynasties

Muhammad Atif Ismail

Multan: Over the past two decades, South Punjab has become a stronghold for political dynasties, playing a crucial role in shaping the regional government.

Prominent political families have consistently secured positions in the administrations following the elections of 2002, 2008, 2013, and 2018. Once again, a interesting political narrative is unfolding, revealing an unprecedented electoral landscape where familial ties dominate.

Embedded deeply within the social fabric of their communities, these influential families are collectively entering the democratic arena, with a remarkable number of their members actively engaging in the upcoming elections.

This phenomenon transcends traditional political alliances, demonstrating a multi-generational commitment to public service.

Whether competing in elections under the same party banner or facing off with different symbols, these families are leaving no electoral opportunity unexplored. The 2024 election in South Punjab takes this trend even further, as the political landscape witnesses a distinctive mosaic of family connections.

Blood relations, encompassing fathers, mothers, sons, brothers, and sisters, are actively participating in the electoral process, creating a truly unique scenario.

The Gillani Family

In Multan, the Gilani family, spearheaded by former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani (NA-148), has significantly established its presence. Interestingly, Gilani’s three sons, Syed Ali Musa Gillani (NA-151), Syed Abdul Qadir Gillani (NA-152), and Syed Ali Haider Gillani (PP 213), are actively participating in the elections, each running on Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) tickets.

Three Brothers of Khanewal

In Khanewal, the political dynamics are notably shaped by the joint engagement of three brothers: Iftikhar Nazir (NA-145), Zia ur Rehman (PP-209), and Ata ur Rehman (PP-210). Their active participation emphasizes the extensive family influence and underscores the significant impact they wield in South Punjab’s political sphere.

Qureshis and Dogars

Participation of multiple family members in the 2024 elections is a prevalent trend in South Punjab. In addition to the Gilani family, the Qureshis and Dogars are notable examples, actively nominating candidates from within their familial circles.

Within the Qureshi family, the offspring of Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Zain Hussain (NA-150), and Mehr Bano Qureshi (NA-152) are vying for seats in the National Assembly.

Similarly, two members of the Dogar family, Aamir Dogar (NA-149) and Adnan Dogar (PP-216), are also in the electoral race.

The Vehari’s Daultana

This intricate political fabric extends to Vehari, featuring Tehmina Daultana and her son, Irfan Daultana, engaged in the political arena for the national (NA-158) and provincial assembly seats, respectively.

Reflecting familial diversity, the Jutt sisters, Ayesha Nazir Jutt (NA 156) and Dr. Arifa Jutt (PP-229), are also actively participating.

In Mailsi, the Khichi brothers, the Manahis (father and son), and other familial pairs are prominent, while in Khanewal, the Haraj brothers are testing their fortunes.

Meanwhile, Rahim Yar Khan sees two brothers, Makhdoom Mustafa Mahmood (NA-173) and Makhdoom Murtaz Mahmood (NA-169), contesting on a PPP ticket.

In this harmonious political landscape, a captivating development unfolds in Vehari, where two brothers, Naeem Khan Bhabha and Khizar Bhabha, find themselves on opposite sides in PP-234.

DG Khan’s Legharis and Khosas

Adding an extra layer of intrigue to the electoral narrative in South Punjab, familial clashes involving scions, cousins, uncles, aunts, and nephews participating in the polls have become a prominent feature. Even the Legharis and Khosas from Dera Ghazi Khan are not immune to such political dynamics.

With a storied political legacy stemming from the late Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari, who held the esteemed office of President of Pakistan, his sons, Sardar Jamal Khan Leghari and Sardar Awais Leghari, have continued the political legacy of the Leghari family. In the current electoral scenario, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari is a contestant in NA-186, while Sardar Ammar Awais Leghari, the grandson of Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari, is vying for NA-187 in Jampur tehsil.

Intra-Family Political Clash

Interestingly, in certain instances, family members are pitted against each other due to divergent political affiliations. In district Rajanpur, the sons of the late Mir Balakh Sher Mazari, former caretaker Prime Minister, namely Sardar Zahid Mahmood Mazari running independently and Sardar Riaz Mahmood Mazari representing PML-N, find themselves as rivals in NA-189.

Among the Dareshaks, another politically influential family in Rajanpur, Sardar Ahmad Ali Khan Dareshak and Sardar Atif Ali Khan Dareshak, grandsons of Sardar Nasarullah Khan Dareshak, are competing in the elections from NA-188 in Rajanpur and NA-187 in Jampur, respectively.

Layyah’s Jakhar and Sehar

In Layyah, notable political families such as the Jakhar and Sehar families dominate the landscape. Additionally, the Niazi, Gujjar, and Peer families are making their mark in electoral politics, with Faizul Hassan (PML-N), Bahadur Khan Sehar (PPP), and Amber Majeed Niazi, the wife of ex-MNA Abdul Majeed Khan Niazi (Independent), all competing for NA-181

In Muzaffargarh, the Khar, Hanjra, Siyal, Bukhari, and Jatoi families play an active role. Malik Ghulam Qasim Hanjra is contesting from NA-179, Abdul Qayyum Jatoi (independent) and Aamir Talal Gopang (PML-N) from NA-178, while Sheherbano Bukhari, daughter of ex-MNA Syed Basit Sultan Bukhari, is running against her uncle Syed Haroon Sultan Bukhari in NA-177.

Interesting Case of Nawabzada Family

An intriguing electoral battle is set within the Nawabzada family, where uncle Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmed (PPP) and nephew Nawabzada Muhammad Ahmed Khan (Independent) are set to compete in NA-176, alongside Basit Sultan Bukhari from PML-N.

Political analyst Zia Baloch, reflecting on this unique trend, commented that in South Punjab, influential families, backed by substantial resources, view politics as a means to achieve their specific objectives.

He emphasized the pivotal role played by the well-honed political acumen of family members, making it challenging for newcomers to establish a lasting presence.

Political commentator Shakeel Anjum described it as a power politics game, with each family vying to maintain hegemony in the political landscape.

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