SARGODHA, Sept 30: Ruling party-supported candidates for the tehsils of Sillanwali, Sahiwal and Shahpur won more support on Friday when the influential Kalyar group, reportedly under pressure from the Punjab government, parted ways with ‘rebellious’ Mian Mazhar Qureshi camp.

Maj Asghar Kalayar retired, special adviser to the chief minister, announcing his group’s support to official nominee for Sahiwal, Ghulam Asghar Khan Lahri, said that 52 nazims, naib nazims and councilors of his group would support PML’s Ghulam Asghar Lahri.

This ‘fatal blow’ left no option for the MNA Mian Mazhar Qureshi to surrender instead of any solo flight.

In a meeting held in Sahiwal last night, the Kalayars along with Sialvi group and Allah Dad Hargan parted with the Qureshi group and announced their support to official nominee.

Earlier, another candidate, former Sillanwali nazim Rana Munawar Ghaus, withdrew his candidature in favour to Chaudhry Farrukh Javed Ghuman.

Similarly, another potential candidate Mehr Anwar Hayat Luk, ex-MPA, also surrendered in favour of MPA Malik Shoaib Awan, an official nominee for Sargodha tehsil slot.

Mehr Ghulam Dastgir Luk, reported to be a nominee of PPP, withdrew as his candidature in compliance of a party directive in favour of Mirza Ilyas of Tasneem Qureshi group.