HAFIZABAD: In anticipation of the 2024 general elections, political excitement escalates, with parties gearing up for the impending electoral battle. The spotlight is firmly on National Assembly Constituency NA-67 in Hafizabad district, Punjab, where a captivating discourse unfolds following the distribution of tickets by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
With a population exceeding 1.3 million, NA-67 Hafizabad stands as a significant political battleground, hosting 810,723 registered voters. Undergoing a recent realignment from NA-87 to NA-67, the constituency holds historical significance with three National Assembly seats and one Provincial Assembly seat.
Traditionally dominated by the Tarar and Bhatti families, especially Afzal Hussain Tarar and Mehdi Hasan Bhatti, NA-67 now takes center stage with a spotlight on the competition between two female candidates.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) presents Saira Afzal Tarar, a seasoned politician and former Federal Minister of State. Saira, daughter-in-law of former President Rafiq Tarar, brings a political legacy, securing victories in the 2008 and 2013 National Assembly elections. In 2013, she became a member of the House of Commons and later assumed the role of Minister of State for Health.
On the PTI front, Anika Mehdi steps into the arena, running on the party’s ticket. Anika, daughter of former MNA Mehdi Hasan Bhatti, represents a fresh face in electoral politics. The Bhatti family’s political legacy in NA-67 includes Anika’s father Mehdi Hasan Bhatti and her brother Shaukat Ali Bhatti, who secured the MNA seat in the last election on a PTI ticket.
The stage is set for a compelling electoral showdown in NA-67 Hafizabad as these two female candidates navigate the intricate political dynamics of the constituency. This reflects the broader preparations and discussions underway for the upcoming general elections.
