LAKKI MARWAT: A group of religious scholars and prayer leaders has fielded candidates for national and provincial assembly seats to give a tough time to the nominees of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl in Bannu in the upcoming polls.

The group led by Maulana Abdul Ghaffar Qureshi has fielded Maulana Mufti Inamullah Khan for NA-39. He is also contesting election for PK-101. Other prominent candidates for NA-39 include former deputy speaker of Zahid Akram Durrani of JUI-F, Maulana Naseem Ali Shah of PTI and Farzana Sherin of PPP.

Two other candidates of ulema group including Maulana Mohammad Tahir Khan and Maulana Ahmadullah Haqqani are also in the run for PK-102 and PK-99, respectively.

They will face former chief minister Mohammad Akram Durrani of JUI-F, Malik Adnan Khan of PTI, Farzand Ali and other strong aspirants in both provincial assembly constituencies.

Maulana Qureshi told journalists that after winning elections, they would form separate council for each constituency to resolve people’s problems at their doorsteps.

He said that the council would consist of 40 religious scholars and the same number of local elders. The prayer leader of every mosque and religious scholar of every locality would work as a bridge between people and the council to find a sustainable solution to local issues.

PTI: The Bannu chapter of PTI has asked its candidates for PK-102 to withdraw in favour of Malik Adnan Khan and launch an enthusiastic electioneering for his victory in the Feb 8 polls.

The instructions were issued by PTI district general secretary Waheed Khan on Thursday. Malik Adnan will face former chief minister Akram Khan Durrani in the elections and a tough contest is expected between them. Other candidates are also in the run for the seat.

Mameezullah Khan, an independent aspirant affiliated with PTI, told journalists that around 12 candidates affiliated with PTI had submitted nominations for PK-102 on the instructions of party leadership.

He said that the move was meant to keep contenders in the field if papers of some were rejected by returning officer. He said that the party chose Malik Adnan as a candidate and directed others to withdraw in his favour.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2024