February 08, 2008	Friday	Muharram 29, 1429

GUJRANWALA, Feb 7: The political scenario has taken a swift turn with major opposition party — Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) — is gaining momentum in its electioneering after several religious parties announced their support.

Jamiat Ahle Hadith (JAH) chief Allama Sajid Mir had already announced support for PML-N aspirants a few days back while his candidates withdrew their nomination papers for national and provincial assemblies’ seats.

Following in the footsteps of the JAH, the Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan’s (JUP) leader Maulana Abdul Aziz Chishti has also declared to support the PML-N in the upcoming general election.

Similarly, other religious groups are also backing the Sharifs for what they say their Islamic vision.

Local PML-N leaders, including former federal minister Ghulam Dastagir Khan, Usman Ibrahim and Khurram Dastagir, extended their thanks to religious parties for backing them in the elections.

CONCERN VOICED: Small farmers of some half-a-dozen villages in Sadar area voiced their concern over acquiring of their agricultural land for establishing an industrial zone by the Punjab government.

Farmers of Neuki, Chak Nizam, Daulanwali, Bilalpur, Chak Ramdas and Maukal Sundhawan villages in their meeting held here asked the governor to drop the idea of establishing an industrial zone in the larger interest of small landholders.

They suggested that the industrial zone should be set up on barren lands.