GUJRAT, Nov 22: By-polls for the slot of Adowal (UC-23) nazim were postponed in view of `deteriorating law and order situation’ on Wednesday.

It is learnt that some area people had moved an application to the returning officer concerned for postponement of by-election as they feared violence and bloodshed or damage to property in view of the prevailing tension in the area.

The UC nazim seat fell vacant following the success of a no-trust move against previous office-holder Rafi Mir.

Chaudhry Abdul Khaliq of Ditawal of Shujaat Group and another Muslim leaguer Chaudhry Mohammad Arif were in the run for the election scheduled for Nov 22.

It is pertinent to note here that one of the candidates Khaliq Ditawal is a nominated accused in the murder case of Waqar Shah Alias Qari Shah, the son of former district naib nazim Syed Noorul Hasan Shah. Gujjar Khan police had conducted raids at different places for the arrest of Khaliq but to no avail. There are rumours that Khaliq had fled to UK fearing arrest.

Meanwhile, PML candidate Shahid Shah was declared unopposed nazim of Moeenudinpur UC when Talib Shah of the PPP withdrew his nomination papers after Syed Noorul Hasan Shah convinced him to do so. — Correspondent