ISLAMABAD, Aug 20: Afzal Khan, a veteran nationalist politician and chief of the Pakhtoonkhwa Qaumi Party, has left the electoral politics after the Election Commission rejected his attempt to register the PQM.

A renowned Khudai Khidmatgar from Swat, Afzal Khan had launched the party with Latif Afridi after both had severed relations with Wali Khan’s Awami National Party a few years back.

The ANP leadership had attributed parting of ways by the veteran politician to his disappointment on not being given the slot of governor in one of the party’s stints in power.

Talking to Dawn on Monday, Afzal Khan said: “My party’s objective of reuniting the Pakhtoons scattered in four units apparently was not considered by the Election Commission fit for registration”.