CHARSADDA: All the component parties of the ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) will hold a rally at the Prang Stadium here on Thursday (today) to garner public support for Aimal Wali Khan, their joint candidate for the NA-24 by-election.

The rally will be addressed by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl president Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Qaumi Watan Party central chairman Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, Awami National Party central vice-president Ameer Haider Hoti, Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders.

All arrangements have been finalised for the show of power.

JUI-F district emir Maulana Gohar Shah and ANP district president Shakil Bashir Khan Umarzai visited the venue of the public meeting and expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made.

Talking to mediapersons on the occasion, they said a large number of PDM leaders and workers would take part in the rally. They claimed that ANP candidate Aimal Wali would defeat the PTI candidate Imran Khan with a big margin.

Meanwhile, talking to the media, Safia Akbar, district election commissioner, said all arrangements had been made to hold free and fair by-election in NA-24, Charsadda-II. She appealed to the activists of political parties to remain peaceful so that voters could cast their votes in a peaceful atmosphere. She also directed candidates, their supporters and public to follow election commission rules and election code of conduct.

Ms Akbar said about 526,000 male and female voters would use their right to vote in the NA-24 by-polls. She said total 386 polling stations had been set up, including 196 for men, 154 for women and 34 combined. She said about 242 polling stations had been declared most sensitive and 142 sensitive. She added a total of 2,708 election staff, including presiding officers, assistant presiding officers and polling officers, will perform duty on the polling day.

PROTEST: Teachers and students of private schools on Wednesday protested an attack on a school van in Swat, in which its driver was killed and two students were injured.

Private Education Network (PEN) had given call for the protest.

The protestors gathered at the Farooq Azam Chowk and demanded of the government to provide protection to students and teachers. They demanded arrest of the killers of school van driver.

The students chanted slogans for peace in Swat and rest of the province.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2022