SWABI, Dec 12: Absence of Tehsil Naib Nazim Ali Yar Khan for the last three-and-a-half months from his office has created a rivalry between the opposition and nazim group as the former demands a new deputy for the tehsil council while the latter uses delaying tactics.

Officials of the local government said Yar Khan, an ex-employee of the Pakistan Air Force, had joined the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force.

They said that before leaving, he had applied for a six-month leave. But they think that there is no chance of his return as he has got a lucrative job there.

The opposition claimed that according to the prescribed rules of local bodies, Yar Khan could not remain Naib Nazim after a long absence from the office.

The officials said that in the absence of the Naib Nazim, the official work had been piling up, which was causing resentment among the general public.

A relative of Yar Khan, when contacted, told Dawn that it would be quite difficult for him to come back from the UAE.

“He has not gone mad to leave such an attractive job and return. His family is also not in favour of his return and has already advised him to continue with the UAE Air Force,” said his another relative.

The opposition alleged that Tehsil Nazim Masood Jabbar was playing tricks with the general people in this connection as he had failed to take any step for the selection or nomination of a new naib nazim.

They said they had already presented a resolution in the tehsil council in which they had called for the nomination of the new naib nazim.

Those who belong to the treasure benches say that they are seeking advice from the provincial government in this connection that whether the Local Bodies Ordinance 2000, calls for the selection of a temporary Naib Nazim or he will be elected.

CAMPAIGN: Many candidates aspiring for the office of tehsil naib nazim have launched their election campaign.