SWABI: Awami National Party (ANP) has awarded tickets to candidates for seven National and provincial assembly constituencies in the district.

ANP leader Mukhtiar Khan told journalists here on Thursday that the decision was made at Bacha Khan Markaz, the head office of party in Peshawar, and communicated to the candidates. He said that the candidates were told to make preparations for for the expected general elections.

It was the first time during the two-and-a-half decades that the family of late Rehmanullah did not get ANP ticket for polls. Ameer Rehman, the son of Rehmanullah, went to United Kingdom after he was blamed for the murder of a worker of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf during 2018 elections.

Sikandar Irfan, who had left ANP before 2018 elections as a protest and contested polls on Pakistan Peoples Party’s ticket, rejoined the the party a few days ago. He was awarded ticket for PK-48, Swabi-III.

Shanawaz Khan Khanzada, who contested the 2018 elections as an independent candidate and quit ANP when he did not get a ticket, also rejoined the party and got ticket for NA-19, Swabi-I, constituency.

Waris Khan, son of late MPA Shoaib Khan, got the ticket for the second time for NA-20, Swabi-II.

The candidates, who got the ticket of ANP for the first time included Sohail Ahmad of Topi for PK-46, Swabi-I, NawabZada for PK-47, Swabi-II, Tausif Ijaz of Yar Hussain for PK-49, Swabi-IV and Zahid Khan of Shewa for PK-50, Swabi-V.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2023