Caste plays dominant role in Pak elections

Sameer Arshad:The Times of India

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, a four-time Pakistan Muslim League (N) parliamentarian, downplays the importance of biradari (caste) factor in the May 11 elections and counts on his party's popularity to see him through. Yet as a hardnosed politician, he has the biradari breakup of his Murree-Kahuta constituency near Islamabad at his fingertips - Rajputs 30% and the rest Jats, Arians, Gujjars etc

The arithmetic is crucial as the factor has a strong impact on elections particularly in rural Pakistan and more so in Punjab that accounts for 55% national assembly seats. Rajputs are dominant in northern Punjab, where Abbasi's constituency is located, followed by Jats in central and Balochs in the province's south. The Peoples Party (PPP)-led government had a Rajput prime minister and a Jat as his deputy before it demitted office in March. The Bhuttos, who founded and have led the party, are of Rajput ancestry.