November 27, 2007	Tuesday	Ziqa’ad 16, 1428

PESHAWAR, Nov 26: A total of 154 candidates have filed nomination papers in six agencies of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) for the Jan 8 general elections while date for submitting papers have been extended in Kurram and North Waziristan agencies owing to prevailing lawlessness.

Though the Political Parties Order, 2002, does not apply to Fata, politicians belonging to different parties have submitted papers from the six tribal agencies. Major political parties like PPP, ANP, PML-N, PML, JI and JUI-F have fielded their candidates in Fata.

In Bajaur Agency, 36 candidates filed their nominations with the returning officer in Khar. A total of 15candidates submitted papers for NA-43 and 21 candidates filed papers for NA-44.

Mohmand tribal region has one National Assembly seat for which 28 candidates have submitted nominations with the returning officer in Ghalanai town.

In South Waziristan Agency, 15 candidates, including former MNAs Maulana Abdul Malik and Maulana Mirajuddin Khan, filed their papers. There are two NA seats in the agency. In Khyber Agency, which has two NA seats, 44 candidates filed their nomination papers.

A total of 17 candidates submitted their papers in the Orakzai Agency comprising an NA constituency.

In North Waziristan Agency, officials said, 14 candidates filed their papers in Miramshah. The Election Commission extended the date for nomination papers till Dec 6 on the request of the political administration.