KARACHI: As more than 100 million registered voters in Pakistan will vote in the country’s general election 2018 on Wednesday, many will be voting for or against movers and shakers of Pakistan’s political system.

IMRAN KHAN: Can’t wait to become PM
After running a long anti-corruption and reform drive, Imran Khan, the 65-year-old cricketer-cum-politician, is impatient for the result, which he claims, will take him to the Prime Minister House from where he will steer the country toward educational, police and economic reforms. 
Khan, who formed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on April 25, 1996, a few years after he had brought the World Cup title home in 1992, made several attempts before eventually making his mark in the 2013 elections.
BILAWAL BHUTTO ZARDARI – an attempt to bring life to Bhutto
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, 30, son of Benazir Bhutto, the former prime minister who was assassinated during the 2007 election campaign, is continuing his mother’s unfinished journey. “You stood by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, You stood by Benazir Bhutto and you have come out for me. I am expecting you to support me with same zeal in this and future elections,” Bilawal told the crowds who welcomed him when he kicked off his all Pakistan road drive he on July 2. 
Analysts say that even if Bilawal fails to win majority, he will be able to protect his party from collapse.
SHEHBAZ SHARIF: The last of Sharifs
Shehbaz Sharif, former Chief Minister Punjab, who became president of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) after the disqualification of his elder brother, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, has had a rough patch. While some criticize him for not fully supporting his brother and accuse him making his own way, others criticize him for standing with his “disqualified” brother.
Sharif has established himself as one of the successful Chief Ministers and often cites his development work and efforts to restore peace in his bid to win the general elections 2018. However, the National Accountability Bureau actions and court rulings against party candidates have narrowed his chances.
CHAUDHRY NISAR: The invisible power
Chaudhry Nisar Ali who is contesting the elections as an independent candidate and whose symbol is a jeep. The former interior minister, tipped by some as a potential premier, will easily make it to both national and provincial assemblies and may emerge as a candidate for PM if PTI fails to win a decisive majority.
Nisar last week said Sharif was in hot water because he had ignored his warning against clashing with the establishment.
ASIF ALI ZARDARI: The man behind the scenes
While Asif Ali Zardari, former President of Pakistan, is rarely seen on the front lines, nevertheless he is believed to be directing his party’s election campaign behind the scenes. On Saturday, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) declared Zardari an absconder in Sindh’s money laundering case. Earlier, the FIA had found him to be involved in laundering Rs35million. Zardari did not contest the 2002, 2008 and 2013 general elections. He became president after his party won the general election 2008 and formed a coalition government.
Analysts say since Zardari has been accused of corruption he has taken a back seat to his son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
SYED MUSTAFA KAMAL: Rebellion that shackled Altaf’s reign
Syed Mustafa Kamal, who rose to fame after becoming mayor of the megacity of Karachi, was not the first to defect from Altaf Hussain’s Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), party of the Indian immigrants. But he was the first to organize a party, the Pak Sarzameen Party (Pakistan Homeland party), which he launched alongside Anees Qaimkhani in March 2016. The party can challenge the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, a faction which disowned Altaf, and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London, which is still run by Altaf Hussain from London.
Kamal is confident he offers an alternative for MoHajjir voters, who were exploited by Altaf Hussain, he says. “We have a contest with PPP on three seats, on the rest we have already won,” Kamal told Arab News in an earlier interview.
Political observers say they are unable to predict Karachi’s results, because the first fear-free elections have left the outcome unpredictable.
SIRAJUL HAQ: Jamaat-e-Islami’s reformist
Sirajul Haq, Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami and vice president of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), is contesting his first general election as chief of his clique. Haq was elected as a provincial assembly member in 2002 and was made senior minister finance. However, his party boycotted the next general election of 2008. In 2013 JI announced midday boycott in Karachi. In KP, however, Haq’s party formed coalition government with PTI, which continued for just under five years. The JI Emir by entering into alliance with Maulana Fazlur Rehman-led JUI-F is trying to revive his party.
FAZLUR REHMAN: Hardly Away from Power Corridor
Fazlur Rehman, Chief of Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam (JUI-F), who became president of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), in March, is known for his ability to enter the corridors of power. Although his party had not had a majority of seats since 2002, when Rehman’s relative and party leader Akram Khan Durrani was made Chief Minister, the JUI-F chief was able to get a share of power through the help of lawmakers.
KHALID MAQBOOL SIDDIQUI: Fighting a war of survival
Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui was made convener of Muttahida Qaumi Movement–Pakistan (MQM-P) after a rift between Farooq Sattar-led PIB and Amir Khan-led Bahadurabad factions. Siddiqui, who started his political career at the All Pakistan MoHajjir Student Organization (APMSO), the student wing of the MQM, was elected in challenging conditions, including an internal rift, emergence of strong opponent in form of Mustafa Kamal-led PSP and boycott calls from London. However, he was able to convince Farooq Sattar to join him. The 55 year-old chief of MQM-Pakistan wants to retain the maximum number of seats his party won under the leadership of Altaf Hussain.