KHAR: Senior vice-president of the PTI, Bajaur region, Nawabzada Jalaluddin Khan on Tuesday announced support for independent candidates instead of party nominees in the July 25 elections.

Mr Jalaluddin told reporters here that he had decided to favour independents due to the misbehaviour of PTI candidate for NA-40 Gul Dad Khan and nominee for NA-41 Gul Zafar Khan.

He also complained that both candidates hadn’t met or consulted him after nomination.

The PTI leader said he had informed the provincial and central leadership of the party about the matter for action, but to no avail. He said he had worked hard for the party and even spent millions of rupees.

“I’ll support independent candidates Engineer Shaukatullah Khan and Shahabuddin Khan in NA-40 and NA- 41 respectively to protest the misbehaviour of party nominees,” he said. He claimed that 3,000 party workers and supporters backed his stand.

The PTI leader however said he would continue to be with the party.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2018