TIMERGARA, Aug 23: Differences have deepened between two groups of the Awami National Party, Dir Lower, after suspension of the membership of three prominent office-bearers of the local party chapter.

According to a press release issued by the newly-elected district president of the party and nazim of the Samar Bagh tehsil, Bahadar Khan, the membership of Zahir Shah, his brother Mohammad Zamin and Shamsul Qamar was suspended for violating the party constitution.

The local chapter of the party had served show-cause notices on them to explain their position by Aug 5, which they did not, the press release said.

Zahir Shah, a former district general secretary of the ANP, is also the district naib nazim. Mohammad Zamin was a party candidate for the seat of PF-96 in the 1996 general election.

He had also served as a former president of the local party chapter. Shamsul Qamar is also a prominent figure of the party.

When contacted by Dawn on Thursday, the suspended members refused to comment on the issue.

They said the party’s provincial chapter had been informed of the situation and it would decide the issue.

However, they admitted that there was a serious row in the party’s district chapter which could affect the struggle of workers.