December 29, 2001	Saturday	Shawwal 13, 1422

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 28: National Awami Party Pakistan (NAPP) is likely to be merged into Awami National Party (ANP) shortly, reliable sources told Dawn.

According to ANP sources, the merger was likely to be announced by the end of the current month as some of the ANP leaders were preparing to approach NAPP chief Ajmal Khattak in this regard.

Talking to Dawn by telephone from his Akora Khattak residence, NAPP chief Ajmal Khatak said that he had called a meeting of party’s steering committee on Dec 31 to review the prevailing situation in the region.

When asked about the possible merger of NAPP into ANP, Mr Khattak said that the decision to this effect would be taken by the party leaders.

He, however, said he had not received any offer from any leader of the ANP in this regard. “Any suggestion, if received from the ANP, would be discussed during the proposed meeting,” he added.

The NAPP leader admitted that some leaders of the ANP met him recently and asked for the merger of his party with the ANP.

Mr Khattak returned to Pakistan after the fall of the Najib government in Afghanistan and remained ANP president for two consecutive terms until he launched his own party.