LAKKI MARWAT: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s candidate for NA-36, Lakki Marwat, Ishfaq Ahmad Khan Meenakhel has strengthened his position by securing the support of an alliance of councillors.

The body of local bodies’ members announced the support to PTI aspirant during a meeting in Lakki city on Sunday. Former MNA Humayun Saifullah Khan and PTI candidate for PK-91, Lakki Marwat-I, Johar Mohammad were also in attendance.

The alliance’s leader, Abdul Majeed, extended the support to Mr Meenakhel with the condition that if he was elected MNA he would spend one-fourth of his development funds through the local government representatives.

He hoped that Mr Meenakhel would bring development to the backward district. He said the decision regarding supporting the provincial assembly candidates would be made later.

Speaking on the occasion, Humayun Saifullah said people had pinned hopes on PTI chief Imran Khan to steer the country out of multiple crises.

“The PTI will form the next government in the centre and four provinces, therefore the residents of the district should support candidates backed by PTI for their bright future,” he maintained.

“In 2013 general elections the Lakki residents spoiled their votes by preferring Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Salim Saifullah Khan, as he later vacated the seat and fielded his brother, Maulana Attaur Rehman in by-elections,” he said and asked the people to avoid repeating the mistake this time.

The PTI candidates also spoke on the occasion and said they would come up to the expectations of people if elected as members of national and provincial assembly. They said the rival candidates affiliated with the MMA had no agenda of development.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2018