KHAR: Fata Grand Alliance deputy chairman and candidate for NA-40 Malik Bahadar Shah on Thursday announced to withdraw his nomination papers in favour of JUI-F nominee in Bajaur Haji Said Badshah.

He made the announcement during a press conference. JUI-F local leaders including its district head Maulana Abdur Rashid, NA-40 candidate Haji Said Badshah and others were also present on the occasion.

Mr Shah said that he had submitted nomination papers for NA-40 on the request of Fata Grand Alliance leaders. He said that he was withdrawing his papers in favour of JUI-F candidate owing to efforts of the party against the merger of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that policy of JUI-F and Fata Grand Alliance was same on tribal issues.

Mr Shah also said that he had decided to join JUI-F. He said that scores of people, especially tribal elders, were associated with Fata Grand Alliance. He said that the JUI-F candidate would win the seat easily. The JUI-F leaders thanked him for withdrawing in favour of their candidate.

They said that MMA would soon announce its candidates for the two National Assembly seats in Bajaur.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2018