LAKKI MARWAT: Hectic efforts by Saifullahs to win support for PTI candidates in Lakki Marwat bore fruit on Wednesday when a strong independent candidate, Zahir Shah Pehlwan, withdrew from election race and JUI-Nazriati also announced to support contenders of the Imran Khan’s party for one national and three provincial assembly seats in the district.

Mr Pehlwan, who was vying for PK-92, Lakki Marwat-II, made announcement of his withdrawal from election race while talking to mediapersons at Ghaznikhel. Former federal ministers Anwar Saifullah Khan and Salim Saifullah Khan were also present.

The family of Pehlwan has strong roots in Bakhmal Ahmadzai union council, which could influence election results. It has been learnt that Saifullah brothers had met Pehlwan and his brothers at the latter’s residence in Bakhmal Ahmadzai village on Tuesday night in a bid to enlist their support.

The Saifullahs succeeded to persuade Pehlwan to withdraw from election race and support PTI’s Dr Hisham Inamullah Khan, thus strengthening his position in PK-92.

Mr Pehlwan told reporters that after consultation with area elders and supporters he decided to withdraw in favour of PTI contender as he had reached the conclusion that rival candidates would benefit from his presence in the poll arena. He said he and Saifullah brothers would launch concerted efforts to ensure victory of PTI candidates.

JUI-Nazriati provincial deputy chief Mufti Mohammad Khan Haqqani, who was also present on the occasion, said development works carried out in the backward district during last three decades went to the credit of Saifullah brothers. He said JUI-F’s lawmakers failed to bring any development to the district during last five years.

Salim Saifullah thanked Pehlwan and Mufti Haqqani for extending support to PTI aspirants and said he had also approached the local leadership of JUI-S and PPP and spiritual dynasties of Zakori Sharif, Taunsa Sharif and Ghari Sharif to seek their support for PTI contenders.

“In 2015, an alliance between Saifullah brothers and PTI paved the way for formation of coalition government in the district,” he maintained, saying on the basis of reports compiled after conducting a comprehensive survey in the district we entered into alliance with PTI for upcoming elections,” he said. He hoped that PTI would sweep general elections on all seats in the district.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2018