November 26, 2007	Monday	Ziqa’ad 15, 1428

LAKKI MARWAT, Nov 25: A grand jirga of supporters and allies of the influential Saifullahs could not reach a decision on Sunday to announce names of suitable candidates for the one National and three provincial assembly seats in the district.

Lakki Marwat District Nazim Humayun Saifullah Khan presided over the jirga held at his residence in Ghaznikhel. Besides former federal minister Salim Saifullah Khan, elders, nazims and influential people of the area affiliated with the Saifullah brothers attended the meeting.

The participants reposed their full confidence in the Saifullahs and assured them that they would support the panel backed by them in the coming polls.

The meeting ended without any announcement regarding nomination of candidates as some people complained that they had not been consulted during the process of nominating candidates for the elections.

“We are ready to support Humayun Saifullah Khan or Anwar Saifullah Khan as candidate for the National Assembly seat (NA-27) but at the same time we want proper consultation on nomination of candidates for three provincial assembly seats,” speakers said in the Jirga.

Speaking on the occasion, former federal minister for inter-provincial coordination Salim Saifullah Khan said his family always worked for the progress of the backward Marwat area and welfare of the people.

He said the previous MMA-led government hindered in the uplift process of the district and deprived the Marwat people from their due share in development funds.