D I Khan/Local Elections/Voters Interiew

Samiullah 35, a farmer from Tehsil Paharpur, Dera Ismail Khan (DIK), said, “To me, a suitable candidate would be the one who will solve our problems. Residents of Basti Darbar Wali village, where I live, have always voted unanimously for one candidate but prior to elections, notables of the area enter into a verbal contract with the candidate and take guarantee he will pay a certain sum of money for solving problems of voters.”  He said the candidate pays that money in advance before elections. If the candidate loses then he will be entitled to receive back the amount deposited by him as guarantee, said Samiullah.

Sumera 28, student of a private school, said she would only vote for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the coming local body elections. “We have tested all other parties and politicians but they failed to deliver. They make tall claims and promises but do nothing to solve voters’ problems,” said Sumera.

She said DIK City is has become a hub of problems and PTI is the last ray of hope, adding, “If PTI also failed, I would never vote for it again.” She said that gas and electricity are the biggest problem of DIK.

Sughran Bibi, 35, a house wife, said that men are lords of the houses and decided who to vote for. She says, “Since I stay at home therefore I can’t understand politics. I follow my husband’s directions whole casting my vote.” In previous elections, men of our family decided to vote of JUI-F because Maulana Fazl ur Rehman gave job to my son.” She said that Imran Khan is new in the politics and people are not sure what will he do for them.

Muhammad Naeem.30, a shopkeeper said “We have been voting for Jamiat Ulema e Islam for decades and never voted for any other political party. No matter what people say about Maulana but still he is a religious scholar and we will only vote for him.”

Pervaiz, 30, a banker said “ I have always voted for Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) but ever since the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the party has gone into the hands of opportunists. Though I am a diehard activist of PPP but I never voted after the martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto.” For an activist like me, it is better to stay at home instead of casting vote. My conscience doesn’t allow me to vote for any other political party because Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto has sacrificed a lot for the country.

(Interviews by Kamran Khan)

Muhammad Ibrar 35, a shopkeeper of Dera Ismail Khan is a diehard fan of Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif. He said, “I love Nawaz Sharif. He is the one who dared to carry out nuclear explosions and sent a clear and loud message to India and rest of the world that we are a nuclear power and no one should take us as an easy prey.” Other leaders do not have guts like him thus I will vote for PML-N, says Ibrar.

Zarqeesh 28, a student of Gomal University is of the view that she will only vote for Imran Khan. “No matter whom he allots the ticket I will vote for Imran’s PTI because we have voiced with him for a change in our country.” She said Imran is a man of ideas which could lead Pakistan to prosperity whereas other leaders lack political vision.

Akbar Khan, 40, a businessman, has always voted for Jamiat Ulema e Islam. He said,” We are their voters since the times of Mufti Mahmood, father of Fazl ur Rehman. “Had JUI-F not been present in the parliament, the house might have passed bills dictated by American and Jewish lobby. We are Muslims living in an Islamic Republic; Fazal U Rehman is the only one posing resistance against these bills.” He said Rehman had resolved several problems of DIK voters and was working on other plans like setting up new electricity feeders, up-gradation of grid stations and gas projects.

(Interviews by Yaseen Qureshi)

Abdul Hameed, 36, a school teacher, says that the biggest issue of his area is the worst law and order situation and increasing terrorist incidents that have affected the very fabric of society.  Peace is the sole option for development and prosperity for DIK. He said people should vote for PTI as it has running provincial government whereas other parties like JUI-F has not a clear agenda for people and Its local leaders have no strong liaison with people grass root level.

Fareed Ullah Mehsud 27, master degree holder in Economics but a jobless person, migrated from South Waziristan and now living in D I Khan’s Korrai town for last 10 years. He said that local government during Musharraf’s regime had done a lot in development sector in his area. Small roads and potable water was been provided by the previous local government. He says he would vote for PTI because PTI’s local leaders are easily accessible to voters.

Pitras Rafiq, 27, sweeper at a cancer hospital in DIK, said massive load shedding and unavailability of potable water in his area are the biggest problem. The other problems are destroyed sewerage system dilapidated roads and drainage of rain water. He alleged, “JUI-F won National Assembly’s seat through rigging and it might win again in upcoming local elections.” He said Christian community would vote for its own candidate, contesting local elections on PTI’s platform.

Sultan 40, a street masseur DIK, says that he does not know the problems of his area as he is more concerned about bread and butter for his family than the city’s problem. “I have to earn at least Rs 100 every day otherwise my children will sleep hungry in the night.” He said these elected people could not bring any positive change to people like him.

(Interviewed by Inam Khattak)

Hashem 55, a retired government servant, said dilapidated sewerage and drainage systems are the major problems of DIK. . He said, “We have tried and tested every party in DIK but none of them came to voters’ expectations.” He said in the recent general elections people of DIK gave mandate to PTI and now they are witnessing some change like free treatment in hospitals. He said that he would vote to PTI again as it is not involved in malpractices yet.

Aziz-u-Rehman 50, a retired government official, is living in DIK for last 14 years. He said it is unfortunate with people of DIK that their own elected representatives are not sincere with them. He says, “If the PTI led provincial government fails to bring change before local elections, people of DIK may opt for Pakistan Peoples’ Party in local election.”

Ramzan 40, a carpenter, said poor law and order, injustice and price-hike are the major problems of DIK. “Neither public fallows law nor officials respect rules and regulations.” He said poor class can’t get justice from courts or police because they don’t have money to grease palms of officials. He said that he would not vote for anybody in local elections as he does not want to be part of the corrupt system.

(Interviewed by Naseer Azam Mehsud)