KOHAT, Sept 25: The district presidents of the Awami National Party and the Jamaat-i-Islami have issued show-cause notices to MPA Shaukat Habib and Jarma union council nazim elect Tehseen Ahmed for supporting a Pakistan Muslim League candidate in the election for the post of district nazim.

In reply to the notice the MPA has said that he decided to support the PML’s nominee, Seth Gohar Saifullah Khan, after consulting the ANP’s provincial leadership, which had no objection to it.

The ANP’s Watan Dost Group has fielded Omar Khan for the election of district nazim but many of its councillors and nazims are supporting the PML nominee.

The Jamaat-i-Islami leadership has also asked the Jarma UC nazim elect why he announced support to the PML candidate without the permission of the party. A tough contest is expected between Seth Gohar and Omar Khan and some business groups have reportedly spent huge amounts in their campaigns. A brother of Sumari UC nazim Pir Mujahid has reportedly donated Rs2 million for Omar Khan’s campaign.

Similarly, one Pir Adil Shah has reportedly donated Rs5 million and 100 vehicles for the election campaign of Gohar Saifullah. The tough contest may lead to tension in the area during the election. Gohar Saifullah seems to be leading the race with the support of two ANP and one Pakistan People’s Party (Sherpao) MPA and a large number of nazims and councillors.