NOWSHERA: A number of senior activists of Awami National Party in Nowshera have decided to quit the party and join Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and the announcement in this connection is expected today (Wednesday), according to insiders.

They said that a meeting of dissidents, led by former ANP MPA Pervez Ahmad Khan, had been convened on Wednesday (today) in Akora Khattak where Federal Defence Minister Pervez Khattak was specially invited.

ANP focal person for PK-61 Mohtasim Billah told this correspondent that Tappa Mesir Banda president Abdul Ghafoor, general secretary Qari Azizur Rehman and party’s district councillors Shamsul Haq, Siraj Khan, Ikramullah, Jalal Khan, Ahmad Wali and Hidayat Khan had resigned from party posts and basic membership.

Dissidents have also invited Pervez Khattak to the meeting

Tappa Zara Mena general secretary Adalat Khan and joint secretaryMumtaz Khan have also resigned from their posts. Others who resigned from the party basic membership include village Torlandi general secretary Amir Khan, Sartaj Khan of Risalpur andYahya Khan, Fazalullah and Mohtasim Billah of Pir Sabaq village besides a number of local activists of Khaushgi, Kandaro, Bara Banda and Rashakai.

Mr Billah alleged that some ANP leaders in PK-61 had openly opposed party candidate Pervez Ahmad in the 2018 general elections, but the party high-ups did not take any action against them.

He said that the Wednesday’s meeting had been called by Pervez Ahmad. Sources in ANP said that quitting the party by leaders like Pervez Ahmad would be a great loss for the party in PK-61 as he had secured about 17,000 votes in 2018 general election.

NARCOTICS SEIZED:Akora Kahttak police foiled a smuggling attempt and recovered 60 kilogrammes of opium and 25 kilogrammes of charas from a car at Khairbad here on Tuesday.

After an information that some people would try to smuggle drugs to Punjab from Khyber area the police started checking of vehicles in Khairbad area. During search of a car (UZ-184) the police recovered 60kg of opium and 25kg of hashish and arrested three suspects identified as Mohammad Naeem of Kasur, and Jan Siddique and Hamza Ayub of Swabi district.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2018