TAXILA, July 23: Around five political parties and groups, including PPP and PML-N, have formed a grand alliance in Taxila against the ruling PML in the forthcoming local bodies elections. Sources told this correspondent that the local opposition leaders will soon initiate a joint electioneering campaign.

A source in the alliance said the opposition group, formed against Sarwar Khan group, held a meeting during which they discussed their future course of action. The meeting was also attended by MMA MPA Prof Mohammad Waqas Khan and Punjab Parliamentary Secretary for Revenue Chaudhry Kamran Aslam, who due to some political reasons, parted ways with the Khan group.

It may be mentioned here that Mr Aslam had contested the general elections from the platform of Khan group.

A union council nazim of the Khan group, Farrukh Mehmood Mughal, has also left the ruling group and joined the opposition.

Those who have joined the grand opposition alliance include PML-N deputy parliamentary leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, PPP Taxila President Malik Najeebur Rehman, former PML-N MPA Malik Umar Farooq and former local PML leaders Haji Dildar Khan and Syed Riaz Hussain Shah.

According to sources, the opposition leaders, during the meeting, said time had come for all political parties to unite on a single platform and launch a mass movement which should continue till the general elections.

A set formula will be followed for fielding candidates and wherever it will be necessary high ranking office-bearers will be consulted to finalize the names.

Meanwhile, as the date of elections is drawing close, various political parties and groups have geared up their electioneering campaign and stepped up public contacts in Taxila and Wah Cantonment.

TAXILA POLICE: Drivers of transport vehicles have accused the traffic police Taxila circle of forcing them to purchase highway code book for Rs100.