TIMERGARA: ANP is likely to replace PPP in Lower Dir and give tough time to the MMA candidates in the upcoming polls as the party has fielded its stalwarts for two National Assembly and five provincial assembly seats in the district.

ANP has fielded its spokesman and former senator Zahid Khan for NA-6 to face Ahmad Hassan Khan of PPP, Maulana Asadullah of MMA and Mehboob Shah of PTI.

According to observers, the position of Zahid Khan is stronger. After the Peshawar suicide attack on Haroon Bilour, sympathy votes for ANP have also increased in Lower Dir.

Tough contest expected between Pakhtun nationalist party and MMA

ANP’s Nazir Khan is contesting for NA-7, Malik Mohammad Zeb for PK-13, Hussain Shah Yousafzai for PK-14, Sajjad Ahmad for PK-15, Haji Bahadar Khan for PK-16 and Naeem Jan for PK-17.

In the past, JI and PPP were arch rivals in general elections in which the former always made its way to the parliament. Whenever JI boycotted elections, like it did in 1997 and 2008, it was PPP that got majority of seats in Lower Dir inflicting defeat on ANP.

In 2008 general elections, ANP gave tough time to PPP and succeeded in grabbing one of the four provincial assembly seats.

In 2018 general elections, according to political observers, ANP is likely to replace PPP in the district and give tough time to the MMA candidates.

ANP candidate for PK-13 Malik Mohammad Zeb and Haji Bahadar Khan for PK-16 face Shad Nawaz Khan and Izazul Mulk, respectively. Tough contest is expected between Malik Mohammad Zeb and Shad Nawaz Khan in PK-13 while position of Haji Bahadar Khan in PK-6 seems stronger.

MMA has fielded JI chief Sirajul Haq for NA-7 to face Bashir Khan of PTI and Nazir Khan of ANP. PPP has a solid vote bank in PK-15 where tough contest is expected between its candidate Mehmood Zeb Khan and Muzafar Said of MMA.

In PK-14, one on one race is expected between Dr Zakirullah Khan of MMA and Bakht Baidar Khan of PPP.

In PK-17, the real contest is expected between Saeed Gul of MMA and Liaquat Ali Khan of PTI. Both the ANP and PPP are stated to be in weak position in this constituency.

Contrary to the claims made by the PTI campaigners, political analysts say it would fail to get even a single seat in Lower Dir.

UoM: University of Malakand Vice-chancellor Dr Gul Zaman on Tuesday said the administration of the university believed in merit and transparency in recruitment of staff.

Chairing a meeting of selection board, he asked the participants to observe fairness and transparency in selection of staffers.

A total of 60 candidates from both teaching and administration cadres were interviewed on the occasion.

Swat University Vice-chancellor Prof Mohammad Jamal Khattak, member of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission Manzoorul Haq, UoM Registrar Dr Izzat Khan, Dr Farman Ali, deans of various faculties and experts of subjects attended the meeting.

The decision of selection board, according to sources, will be announced in the next meeting of syndicate.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2018