SWAT: Several local leaders of Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) obtained interim bail from court here on Wednesday to avoid arrest.

On Tuesday, PTM workers demonstrated against the arrest of their chief Manzoor Pashtun. Attaullah Jan, the lawyer of local leaders of PTM including Zafar Ali Khan, Ali Hassan, Badshah, Ajab Khan, Aftab Khan and Jawad Khan, said that an FIR was registered against them at Mingora police station for holding the demonstration.

He said that the FIR was sealed owing to which they obtained interim bails before arrest from the court of additional sessions judge.

Meanwhile, a 22-year-old man was killed and his cousin was seriously injured when their motorcycle fell on Mingora Bypass. Haroon Khan was going to shop with his cousin when his motorcycle fell.

Haroon died on the spot and Mansoor was seriously injured in the accident.

ANP: A known political family of Swat is likely to rejoin Awami National Party (ANP) after three decades.

The members of Kamran Khan family told this scribe that a meeting was held between them ANP provincial president Amil Wali Khan. Famous members of the family include former caretaker prime minister and former chief justice of Supreme Court retired Justice Nasirul Mulk, former senator Shuja Mulk Khan and former tehsil nazim Rafiul Mulk Lalaji.

They said that Amil Wali invited them to rejoin ANP. They also expressed their interest in rejoining ANP.

However, they sought some time to consult with other family members and friends.

Sources said that ANP was expected to award ticket to Rafiul Mulk to contest election from NA-3 after rejoining the party.

The late head of the family joined Khudai Khidmatgar Movement in 1945 and later joined ANP when it was formed. However, in 1993, after 45 years of association, the then provincial president of party Begum Naseem Wali Khan expelled him from ANP.

Subsequently, the entire family joined Qaumi Watan Party and remained affiliated with it till date.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2023