MARDAN: Pakistan Muslim League-N and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F have entered seat adjustment on one national and two provincial assembly constituencies of Mardan district for the July 25 general elections.

PML-N provincial chief Engr Amir Muqam and JUI-F provincial emir Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan made the announcement at a press conference here on Sunday.

They said that they had decided to make seat adjustment in NA-21, Mardan-II, and PK-52 and PK-53 constituencies.

As per the agreement, they said the JUI-F candidates Maulana Amanat Shah Haqqani from PK-52 and Qari Niaz Ali from PK-51 would withdrew in favour of PML-N candidates Nawabzada Arsala Khan Hoti and Haji Khan Akbar Afridi, respectively.

Similarly, the PML-N workers would support JUI-F candidate Maulana Shujaul Mulk in NA-21.

It merits a mention here that the PML-N has not awarded party ticket to any candidate to contest elections from NA-21.

Later in the day, the JUI-F candidates Maulana Amanat and Niaz Ali along their supporters staged a demonstration in front of the Mardan Press Club against their party’s decision of seat adjustment with PML-N.

The protesters blocked road for some time and chanted slogans against the JUI-F provincial leadership. They termed the decision of seat adjustment with PML-N as unfair and injustice with the JUI-F candidates.

Speaking on the occasion, the annoyed JUI-F candidates said that they were unaware about the said decision as their provincial leadership did not take them into confidence while making seat adjustment with PML-N.

They alleged that the JUI-F provincial general secretary Maulana Shujaul Mulk had taken money from PML-N candidates to withdraw the candidates in their favour. They said that they would resist the decision at all forums.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2018