SWABI: The Awami National Party has nominated Mohammad Zahid for the district nazim’s slot. Hassan Khan, the acting district nazim, elected a few weeks ago, would step down after the election of the district nazim.

The slot of nazim fell vacant after former district nazim and district president of the party Ameer Rehman had tendered resignation to contest the July 25 general elections from PK-47, Swabi-V. He finished as runner-up as the seat was won by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s Shahram Khan Tarakai.

Mr Zahid from Shewa union council is counted among the top loyalists of ANP, enjoying a strong position in Razaar tehsil, considered the party’s stronghold.

It has been learnt that he would be elected as district nazim soon and only PTI is expected to oppose his candidature and might nominate opposition leader Azizullah Khan against him.

Mr Zahid enjoys the support of all other major political parties allied under the Swabi Democratic Alliance formed soon after the local government elections in 2015.

ROBBERS STILL AT LARGE: The police have failed to trace the four robbers who looted two local currency dealers at gunpoint near Bamkhel police post on Swabi-Topi road on Tuesday last.

When contacted, a police officer told Dawn that they had made raids in various localities to arrest the robbers, but to no avail. The incident happened during the night when the currency dealers, Sher Farzand and Said Rehman, (both cousins) were coming back to their homes from shops in the district headquarters in a car. Both are residents of Baja village.

Swabi DSP Sajid Hussain said they were near the village when one of the robbers intercepted their car and the remaining three held them at gunpoint. The armed men decamped with Rs10 million cash and six costly cell phones.

The currency dealers told police that they could identify the robbers as they had not covered their faces.

Registering FIR in the city police station, Said Rehman said the robbers stanched their cell phones, cash and also took away the car with them, warning them not to approach the police.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2018