TIMERGARA: Electioneering for the local government by-elections scheduled to be held on Dec 23 is gaining momentum with each passing day in Lower Dir district.

Scores of political workers at Malai and Marengai in Rabat ward on Saturday announced to quit their parties and join Pakistan Peoples Party.

Separate corner meetings in this regard were held in different areas of the ward where political workers, including Mohammad Sher, Noor Hameed, Tariq Khan, Zaib Khan, Sabz Ali and others, announced to join PPP.

The functions were addressed by former PPP MPA Mohammad Zamin Khan, councillor Sahibullah and PPP candidate for district council Zainullah.

They said that PPP would take active part in the upcoming LG by-elections. The seat was vacated by JI district councillor Shad Nawaz Khan.

The local PPP leaders criticised both PTI and JI and said that the ruling parties had ignored development of the area for the last five and a half years.

Other political parties, including JI, PTI, ANP and PML-N, have also started their election campaign. The by-elections on six district council, two tehsil council and several village council seats will be held on Dec 23.

Also in the day, the traffic police continued its crackdown on underage drivers and fined a total of 576 motorcyclists for driving without licence. District traffic in-charge Shad Mohammad told mediapersons that Rs119,000 had been collected from the violators as fine.

WALK: Anti-corruption walk was held here the other day, which was led by additional deputy commissioner Mohammad Irshad. Assistant commissioner Gohar Ali and other government officials, students and councillors participated in the walk.

The participants carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against corruption marched on the roads in Balambat and Timergara.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2018