MINGORA: The six-party alliance is set to form local governments in five of the seven tehsils in Swat, while the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf would be able to form its governments in two tehsils only.

After the successful conduct of the local government elections in May this year, the final results did not go in favour of PTI.

According to political experts in Swat, the alliance under the umbrella of PML-N would form its governments in five tehsils of Swat.

“This is really a disappointing situation for PTI in Swat and it is because of its poor selection of candidates for the district and tehsil councils’ elections ,” said Ibadat Khan, a political activist in Mingora. He said that PTI had given tickets to people who were unpopular.

People said that PTI could not start any major development project in Swat which led to its poor show in the LG polls. “They failed to start any mega project in Swat. The roads are in worst condition, cleanliness situation is deplorable, and the elected members of PTI seem to be toothless to bring any change in the lives of people of the Mingora town,” said Amjad Ali, adding “This is why people rejected them.”

It was an ideal situation for rest of the political parties to take advantage of. Without wasting a moment, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, Jamaat-i-Islami, Qaumi Watan Party and Pakistan People’s Party joined hands against PTI and got success.

“The alliance is in a position to form governments in five tehsils, including Kabal, Charbagh, Khwazakhela, Bahrain and Babuzai, while PTI has the strength to form governments in Barikot and Matta tehsils.

The alliance has already chalked out a formula for appointing nazims and naib nazims in the five tehsils,” said Ghafoor Khan Adil, a local journalist.

Meanwhile, three independent councillors have still maintained their independent status and they do not favour either side.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play