SWABI: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Awami National Party, Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz held rallies and public meetings in the Swabi district to show their power and influence the mind of the voters just two days ahead of the general elections.

PTI organised power shows each in NA-18, Swabi-I and PK-44, Swabi-II, where Asad Qiasar, former KP assembly speaker, is contesting elections. The party workers gathered at different points on Swabi-Mardan, Swabi-Jehangira and Swabi-Topi roads and marched from there to government high school playground in a big procession where they were addressed by Mr Qaisar other PTI leaders.

The gathering was scheduled to be held on July 23, but local officials of the election commission had warned the PTI candidates that it would be violation of the election code of conduct because the election campaign of all parties and independent candidates had to be ended 48 hours before the polling day. The second gathering was organized at girls degree college, Kotha, in Topi tehsil. The party workers reached the venue in processions. The gathering echoed with the slogans of Naya (new) Pakistan.

PTI candidates Shahram Khan Tarakai, Usman Khan Tarakai and Mohammad Ali Tarakai led separate rallies which started from the Tarakai House and ended at Charbagh.

ANP held its power show at Shewa Adda where the party workers assembled from all over the district despite security threats.

The party leaders said they were followers of non-violence philosophy of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. They alleged that sale and purchase of votes in PK-46 and PK-47 was rampant.

Ameer Rehman, who contests election from PK-47, said: “No one can deter the real workers of ANP.”

The PPP also arranged a gathering in Zaida city in which both workers and leaders of the party participated. They expressed hope that this time they would win two seats from the district. The PML-N arranged public meetings in Topi city and Maneri Bala where the party leaders addressed the workers. “Despite various difficulties we will win,” said Babar Khan, who is contesting from PK-44, Swabi-II.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2018