SWABI: Qaumi Watan Party candidate Masood Jabbar, who was contesting election from NA-20 and PK-50, has withdrawn his candidature in favour of Awami National Party candidates.

He made the decision when members of Umerkhel Jirga visited his residence here the other day.

ANP’s Shahnawaz Akhunzada is contesting from NA-20 and Nawabzada from PK-50.

“I have decided to quit the poll race on the request of jirga members, who visited my residence,” he said on the occasion.

When contacted, Mr Jabbar told Dawn that he had contacted QWP chief Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao before making his decision.

He said he had withdrawn from the electoral race so that Umerkhel votes were not divided.

The ANP leaders and jirga members thanked Nr Jabbar for his decision.

Political observers here said withdrawal of Mr Jabbar from the poll race would strengthen the position of ANP against its archrivals Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

SUCCUMBS TO INJURIES: Mudassir Khan, an official of the Elite Force, who was injured in an accident on the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway a few days ago, succumbed to his injuries in Mardan Medical Complex Hospital the other day.

His funeral prayers were held at the Swabi police lines. SP investigations Khankhel Khan, SP Elite Force Murad Khan, DSPs Fazal Meraj Khan and Mohammad Iqbal Khan and other police officials attended the funeral.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2024