SWABI: The differences that started among the Awami National Party leaders here in the district about a year ago have not been resolved till date by the party leadership.

Party insiders told this correspondent on Wednesday that two weeks ago district president Amanullah had exchanged hot words at Bacha Khan Markaz, Peshawar, with party’s provincial general secretary Sardar Hussain Babak when he (Babak) hinted that the five members who were show-cause notices last year would remain in the party with their designations.

“Later, the district office-bearers were invited for a meeting to Peshawar by provincial president Aimal Wali, but it could not take place due to his engagements,” said a source.

Show-cause notices were issued to Senator Sitara Ayaz and former election candidate Mohammad Islam last year and later their basic membership was terminated “for involvement in anti-party activities”, the sources recalled.

In October last year, when Mr Aimal visited the district some office-bearers of Swabi and Topi tehsils boycotted his public meetings, demanding that Ms Sitara and Mr Islam’s basic membership should be restored.

Later, show-cause notices were also issued to Swabi tehsil president Gul Wali Khan and general secretary Hidayat Khan and Topi tehsil president Pir Mohammad and general secretary Faisal Khan.

On Sunday, Mr Islam, Ms Sitara and their supporters held a meeting at Rahatabad, which their rivals said was aimed at building pressure for acquiring a dominant position in party.

A party source claimed that names of the leaders who had got show-cause notices were given to Mr Aimal by district president Amanullah and some other leaders who wanted to expel them.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2020