PESHAWAR, July 23: Despite assurances by major political parties that they would give women due representation in the coming local body polls, the local leadership of different parties and elders of Batagram district have signed an agreement not to allow women to contest the polls. The agreement, a copy of which was made available to Dawn, was signed at a meeting held in the Batagram district bar room on Saturday by the local leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl), Provincial Minister Mohammad Ayaz Khan, former district and tehsil nazims and others.

The agreement stated that no woman would be allowed to contest seats reserved for women in the upcoming elections and no group, family or political party would nominate candidates for the same seats.

The agreement said the participation of women in the polls was against the traditions and culture of Batagram.

The agreement warned that strict action would be taken in accordance with the local customs against those who violated the accord.

Announcements to disenfranchise women have also been made in Upper and Lower Dir districts. The local leadership of religio-political parties has agreed to disallow women from participating in the elections as they considered it against their traditions.

CORPS COMMANDER: Lt-Gen (retired) Ayaz Ahmad visited the corps headquarters here Saturday and called on Corps Commander Lt-Gen Safdar Hussain at his office, says APP.

He remained with him for some time and discussed matters related to mutual interest.

Mr Ahmad served as Peshawar corps commander from 1991 to 1994 and initiated various projects for the welfare of troops.