19 May 2004	Wednesday	28 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

SWABI, May 18: Owing to serious differences with Jamaat-i-Islami, the Jamait Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) has declared its neutrality in the district nazim election, to be held on May 22.

The JI has entered into an alliance with Swabi Qaumi Mahaz, PPP (Sherpao), PPP (Parliamentarians), Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf and the Swabi Independent Group of nazims.

The JI district general secretary, Saeed Zada, is contesting the election for the naib nazim seat in a panel with Awal Sher Khan of SQM who is running for the post of district nazim.

The ANP-PML-N alliance has fielded Jehanzeb Khan of ANP and Liaqat Ahmad Khan of PML-N for the slot of nazim and naib nazim. The Swabi All Councillors Ittehad is supporting Malik Raza and Zahoor Ahmad for the two posts.

The JUI-F withdrawal of support to JI at this stage would weaken JI position. The JUI-F leaders said that they were neither consulted nor contacted by the JI before entering into a political alliance with other parties.

Meanwhile, ANP and PML-N welcomed JUI-F's decision to withdraw its support to JI alliance's candidates. Jehanzeb Khan told this correspondent that it was not only the district nazim election, the two major parties of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal had many differences.

CONVENTION: The ANP and the PML-N held a workers' convention here on Tuesday. Ex-MNA Haji Rehmanullah and MPA Amir Rehman, Jehanzeb Khan, Liaqat Ahmad Khan and other leaders spoke on this occasion.

The speakers alleged that the previous district government had allowed the shifting of machinery from Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate, thereby paving the way for its collapse.

"I have spent development funds on welfare projects of the people, but nobody knows where the funds given to MMA MNAs and MPAs went", questioned Amir Rehman. They said the tobacco growers were deceived by the MMA MNAs through hollow slogans and did nothing for them.