TIMERGARA:All the political parties and their candidates have speeded up electioneering in the Lower Dir district.

The candidates of PPP, PTI, MMA, ANP, PML-N and APML and independents have set up their election offices in various localities and started holding corner meetings. For the first time in the district, the candidates are motivating men to prepare their women for casting vote in the July 25 elections.

Switching loyalties and joining other political parties have become a routine. On Thursday, Mustaqim Jan, a diehard worker of Jamaat-i-Islami, quit the party and announced to join PPP during a function held in Mian Banda here.

The function was addressed by PPP canididate for NA-6, Ahmad Hassan, and PK-15 Mehmood Zeb. In Haya Serai, Maidan, several political workers announced to join PPP. A function in this regard was held at Cham Kot Payeen which was addressed by PPP candidate for PK-13 Mohammad Zamin.

Also in the day, a PPP village councillor Daud Khan of Bakht Bilana quit his party and announced to join JI. Another JI activist Ihsanullah along with his family announced to join ANP and support its candidate in PK-13. A function in this regard was held at Koto Hajiabad which was addressed by ANP candidate for NA-7 Nazir Khan.

In Samar Bagh, close relatives of JI candidate Izazul Mulk announced to support the PTI candidate for PK-16, Sarbiland Khan.

Meanwhile, ANP spokesman and candidate for NA-7, Zahid Khan, said that the demise of Haroon Bilour had deeply hurt the party workers. He demanded of the government and security agencies to provide his party candidates with foolproof security so they could run their campaign smoothly.

HOUSE FIRE: Fire broke out in the house of one Rashid Khan at Kandaro in Balambat area on Thursday. Residents and Timergara TMA officials extinguished the fire within an hour. However, one room of the house was gutted.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2018