January 11, 2007	Thursday	Zilhaj 20, 1427

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SWABI, Jan 10: Sarfaraz Jadoon, MPA, and Swabi Nazim Hanif Gul Jadoon of the Awami National Party (ANP) have decided to join the Jamait Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl), sources told Dawn on Wednesday.

An understanding in this regard was reached at a meeting held between the NWFP chief minister and the two ANP leaders in Peshawar a few days back, said the sources, adding that the ANP leaders were accompanied by NWFP Education Minister Maulana Fazal Ali.

Sarfaraz Jadoon and Hanif Jadoon would make a formal announcement about joining the JUI-F during a visit of the chief minister to Gadoon which was expected soon, said a JUI-F insider.

The two Jadoons were staunch leaders of the ANP, and their defection would have a significant effect on the local politics.

Hanif Jadoon was expected to the ANP candidate in the forthcoming election from the constituency of PF-35.

Sarfaraz had helped the ANP in the by-election of district nazim Jehan Zeb Khan after Sher Zaman had been disqualified by the Supreme Court in the fake certificate case.

During his meeting with the chief minister, Hanif Jadoon expressed his desire to be fielded for the post of Topi tehsil nazim, and he was backed by Sarfaraz Jadoon, said the sources.

Topi had been upgraded to the tehsil level on November 25 last on the occasion of the chief minister’s visit to Swabi.