After three elections, the people of constituency PK-22 in Bajaur district finally have a representative. The electoral journey has been tumultuous. The General Election 2024 for PK-22 was initially postponed after candidate Rehan Zeib Khan was tragically killed on January 31 while campaigning in Siddiqabad Phatak Chowk. Consequently, the elections were put on hold.
Elections were rescheduled and held on April 21, during which Rehan Zeib Khan's brother won both the NA-8 and PK-22 seats. He later vacated the PK-22 seat, leading to a by-election on July 11. Awami National Party (ANP) candidate Nisar Baz emerged victorious in this by-election with 11,926 votes.
Independent candidate Najibullah Khan, son of former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Engineer Shaukatullah Khan, secured the second position with 10,622 votes. Jamaat-e-Islami's Abid Khan came third with 10,593 votes, while Rahat Ullah of Sunni Etihad finished fourth with 7,146 votes.
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Independent candidate Akhtar Gul was fifth with 3,556 votes, followed by Abdullah of Pakistan Peoples Party with 519 votes, and independent candidate Noor Shah with 260 votes.
Muhammad Nisar Baz, born on January 13, 1985, belongs to the Mandal sub-tribe of Atman Khel. Currently, he serves as the General Secretary of Awami National Party Bajaur. He holds an MA in Journalism and a Master's in Regional Studies from Peshawar University. Baz has been active in politics since his school days and has held significant positions in various student organizations, including Peshawar University's Bajaur Students Organization, Fata Youth Jirga, and Pakhtoon SF.
Nisar Baz's popularity surged due to his firm stance on regional resources, as highlighted in the Awami National Party's manifesto. Last year in Charming, he delivered an anti-establishment speech, which led to FIRs being filed against him for advocating regional resource utilization against the ruling powers. This defiance played a crucial role in his success.
Since 2018, it has been nearly impossible for any party to defeat PTI in Bajaur in two provincial, two general, and local body elections. However, in the April 21 and July 11 elections, PTI's nominated candidates suffered significant defeats. In the April 21 election, PTI's candidate Guldad Khan finished third, while in the July 11 election,
PTI's candidate Malik Rahatullah came fourth. According to observers and independent sources, internal differences within the district leadership of PTI led to these defeats, as the votes were split between PTI Worker Party candidates and independent candidates.
This election concluded positively, with the people choosing their preferred candidate over materialistic influences and coercion. Now, the question remains whether Nisar Baz can live up to public expectations.
