SARGODHA, Sept 18: MNA Chaudhry Anwar Ali Cheema could not withstand the government pressure as he decided to withdraw in favour of MNA Sheikh Inamul Haq Piracha, the PML-backed candidate for the Sargodha district nazim slot. To compensate Cheema, PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Husain awarded him with nazim slots of his choice for six Sargodha district tehsils. The Cheemas were the leading group in the district after the Aug 18 elections. Their claim over the district nazim slot got strength when more political groups backed them.

Although Mr Cheema formally resigned from the National Assembly membership in protest, he said that he could not afford to oppose the directive of his party high-ups. To him, he said the party discipline was supreme.

The decision on the Sargodha district nazim slot was taken in the Punjab House, Islamabad.

For six tehsils, Chaudhry Anwar Ali has nominated Malik Imtiaz Bhirth for Bhalwal tehsil nazim, Bakhtiar Mela for Kotmomen tehsil nazim, Farrukh Javed Ghumman for Sillanwali tehsil nazim, Ghulam Asghar Lahri for Sahiwal tehsil nazim and Fateh Khan Meikan for Shahpur Sadar tehsil nazim. While decision on Sargodha tehsil nazim will be taken later on.

It is learnt that Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi will formally announce the withdrawal of Chaudhry Anwar Ali Cheema from the district nazim race during his visit to Sargodha on Tuesday (tomorrow).

Meanwhile, PML-N MPA Dr Mukhtar Bhirth may also announce his joining of the PML during the CM’s visit here.

Hasan Piracha, a spokesman of the Piracha group, said that Chaudhry Anwer Ali Cheema would withdraw his candidature after the arrival of President Pervez Musharraf from the US.

In the prevalent situation, Sheikh Inamul Haq Piracha will sweep the polls as the main contestant has been eliminated. In Khushab, the Awan and Tiwana groups are making every effort to remain in the contest, but after the change of scenario in Sargodha the Sumera group seems to sweep polls in the third phase.