In the upcoming general elections 2024, the battle for supremacy in the National Assembly Constituency NA-44, situated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district, intensifies as political giants, namely Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan, Tehreek-e-Insaf, and Pakistan People’s Party, lock horns.
This fiercely contested constituency, historically belonging to Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of JUI, has consistently witnessed tight competition.
In the current electoral landscape, Maulana Fazlur Rehman faces formidable opponents in Tehreek-e-Insaaf-backed Ali Amin Gandapur, running as an independent, and Faisal Karim Kundi of the People’s Party.
Additionally, independent candidate Waqar Khan enters the fray, creating a multifaceted political landscape.
Notably, the PML-N has opted not to field a candidate from NA-44, seemingly aligning with Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s interests.
Reviewing the historical electoral backdrop, Maulana Fazlur Rahman secured victory in NA-44 in 1988 and 2018, with a solitary defeat in between.
The 2018 elections witnessed PTI’s Ali Amin Gandapur triumphing over Maulana Fazlur Rehman by a margin of approximately 40 thousand votes, adding an intriguing dimension to the upcoming contest.
Amidst the political drama, the constituents of Dera Ismail Khan grapple with critical issues such as electricity shortages, drainage problems, and access to clean drinking water, shaping the broader context within which this electoral battle unfolds.
