NA-172 by-election

DERA GHAZI KHAN: The recent visits of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Governor Sardar Latif Ahmed Khosa have not disappointed the masses but also PPP workers who were expecting a mega development package ahead of the by-election scheduled for March 24.
The visits exposed the long-awaited claims of the PPP local office-bearers and demoralised the election campaign, paving the way for a one-to-one contest between the PML-N and PML-Q candidates.
Sardar Shabbir Ahmed Khan Leghari of the PPP, Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari of the PML-Q and Hafiz Abdul Kareem of the PML-N are in the race for the by-election to NA-172, which was vacated after the death of former president Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari. Earlier, the by-election scheduled for December 14 was postponed due to Muharram. Later, a revised schedule was announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan the day when Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani visited the city first time since he took the charge of his office.
It was claimed by PPP candidate Sardar Shabbir Ahmed Khan Leghari that President Asif Ali Zardari had assured him that Sui gas would be provided to Choti Zirin and Kot Chutta besides extension in the existing network of roads and electricity in the remote tribal areas.
The issues were highlighted by PPP workers to muster support for their candidates in the coming by-election. However, the visits failed in achieving the objectives. PPP workers told The News that both visits had disappointed them as they had pinned high hopes with them. The situation also disturbed the PPP candidate and PPP district president when their entry was not allowed at the helipad for receiving the prime minister.