SWABI: Political parties have started wooing local politicians with influence in Swabi district for 2018 general elections and pledges are being made in closed-door meetings, sources said.

An insider of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf told this scribe on Saturday that this was a high time to lure leaders and workers of other political parties because once the constitutional tenure of the government ended it might be difficult to persuade politicians and their supporters.

Recently, PTI’s former leaders ex-MPA Jan Bahadar Khan and Shiraz Akram joined PML-N. Both were supporters of provincial health minister Shahram Tarakai’s family and had a great political influence in the area.

PTI, PML-N and QWP active to woo other local leaders in Swabi

The sources claimed that PML-N might award the ticket for NA-12, Swabi-I, to Mr Shiraz while Jan Bahadar’s son Jehanzeb Bahadar was expected to contest the election from PK-32, Swabi-II.

Two weeks ago, former PTI leader Fida Mohammad of Topi city announced to quit the party and joined Qaumi Watan Party along with his supporters when Aftab Sherpao visited his residence.

Sources in Tarakai House claimed that QWP MPA Meraj Humayun was expected to join PTI soon. When contacted, PTI district president Anwar Haqdad said that a few days ago Pakistan Muslim League-Nawz district information secretary Abdul Bacha and some ANP leaders in Yar Hussain area also joined PTI.

He claimed that more and more people were joining PTI in Razaar tehsil. Similar claims were made by ANP leaders and office-bearers.

Meanwhile, it has been learnt that some ANP leaders wanted that their reservations about award of tickets be removed otherwise there was a chance of defections from the party.

When contacted, Asad Zaman, son of former district nazim late Sher Zaman, said that he would appeal against the award of ANP ticket of PK-34 to Amjid Ali. Sources said that such appeals would also be made by some candidates in PK-31 and other constituencies.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2017