TIMERGARA: The local chapter of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) announced here on Monday to support Awami National Party candidates for NA-6 and PK-14 in the district.

The announcement was made by PkMAP loal leader Mohammad Shahab Chakdarwal during a press conference in Chakdara. ANP candidates for NA-7 Zahid Khan and PK-14 Hussain Shah Yousafzai and PkMAP district president Sartaj Khan were also present on the occasion.

PkMAP has not fielded candidates in Lower Dir this time but its district president Sartaj Khan had contested elections for the then PK-97, now PK-14, n the 2013 general elections.

Mr Chakdarwal said that PkMAP would fully support the ANP candidates for NA-6 and PK-14. He said that both ANP and PkMAP had similar goals for the profress of Pakhtuns. “Due to some reasons, we have not fielded candidates in Lower Dir this time but we will support ANP,” he said, adding that workers of PkMAP would also run campaign for the ANP candidates.

Speaking on the occasion, ANP spokesman and contestant for NA-6 Zahid Khan said that it was time for Pakhtuns to get united for their rights and identity.

“We have no option other than to unite Pakhtun on one platform,” he said. He said that ANP would win majority of seats in Dir as workers of other parties were joining it.

MMA: Several workers of PPP, ANP and PTI in different villages of PK-15 constituency here on Monday announced to quit their parties and support Mutahidda Majlis-i-Amal.

They announced the decision during different functions held in Fengal, Katan, Noorakhel, Sarai Payeen, Sar Pato and Siar Darra areas. They said that they would support MMA candidates for NA-6 Maulana Asadullah and PK-15 Muzafar Said.

Addressing the functions, Maulana Asadullah, Muzafar Said and JUI-F tehsil emir Maulana Nabi Shah said that MMA would win all seats in Lower Dir on July 25. They said that people of the area trusted MMA and its leadership.

Published in Dawn, July 17th , 2018