MUZAFFARABAD, Jan 9: The administrator of the city’s municipal corporation announced on Monday he would not run in the upcoming general elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Zahid Amin told reporters here that he had made the decision in view of his active involvement in the relief operation in his constituency after the Oct 8 earthquake.

“After distributing relief materials among the survivors, I don’t think it’s fitting to contest elections,” he said.

Mr Amin contested last general elections as an independent candidate from Muzaffarabad city and its surroundings, competing candidates from two main political parties, Muslim Conference and Peoples Party. Of his more than 8,000 votes, 90 percent were cast in the urban area of the constituency.

He, however, continued to describe himself as a leader of the Muslim Conference and supported the party’s candidate in the recently held bye-poll in Muzaffarabad.

“Soon after receiving my appointment order, I personally decided that I would not seek votes in return for my services in these times of trial and tribulations,” he said.

Mr Amin said: “Let me make it clear to all political parties and leaders that I do not believe in seeking reward for my services to the victims of the worst-ever natural disaster. In my view, harbouring such thoughts is a disgrace to political traditions.”

He vowed that as head of the municipal corporation, he would remain non-partisan, but at the same time made it clear that he would follow the party’s discipline in the general elections.