MANSEHRA: Independent MPA elected from Torghar district Laiq Mohammad Khan Swati has joined the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.

Mr Swati contested the Feb 8 general election in Torghar’s only provincial assembly constituency PK-41 as an independent candidate after the Awami National Party withdrew his poll nomination.

He is the younger brother of PTI Senator Azam Khan Swati.

The MPA-elect met PTI nominee for the chief minister’s office Ali Amin Gandapur in the presence of former governor Shah Farman and Speaker of the provincial assembly Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani and announced the joining of the party and allegiance to former prime minister Imran Khan. Mr Gandapur welcomed him to the PTI.

Mr Swati told reporters in Oghi on Tuesday that after winning Torghar’s provincial assembly seat in 2018 on the ANP’s ticket, he launched mega development projects in the district.

Laiq promises Torghar’s development

He promised more development in Torghar.

The MPA-elect said he was optimistic that the new government would address the issues of Torghar district and ensure the early completion of development projects.

Meanwhile, returning officer of Mansehra’s NA-40 constituency Mohammad Saleem on Tuesday confirmed the election victory of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate Sardar Shahjehan Yusuf following the counting of postal and rejected ballots that increased his victory margin by 84 votes.

Mr Yusuf received Form 49 (final poll results) from Mr Saleem.

The PML-N candidate secured 43,098 votes against 42,967 votes of PTI-backed independent contestant Abdul Shakoor Khan, according to Form 49.

On Monday, Mr Yusuf re-emerged as the winner of the Feb 8 election in PK-40 after the completion of vote recount.

Runner-up Shakoor has already rejected election results and announced he would challenge election results in the court of law as ballots polled for him were set ablaze outside the returning officer’s offices during vote recount.

“We’ve never heard about such poll rigging. Votes with my symbol stamped by voters were set to fire outside the RO’s offices turning my victory into defeat. All that happened in the presence of the RO and deputy superintendent of police,” Mr Shakoor told reporters here.

He said he would produce video evidence of the rigging in the court.

“I’ve all Forms 45 with us that clearly show my victory,” he said.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2024