SWABI, Sept 14: Forty-four candidates have withdrawn their nomination papers from the two national assembly and six provincial assembly seats of district Swabi, and a dozen independent candidates may opt to withdraw their papers by Saturday.

The PPP, PML-N, Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf and Swabi Qaumi Mahaz had already struck seat-to-seat adjustment and the candidates of the four parties have withdrawn their nomination papers as per the agreed formula.

From NA-12 Swabi-I, Ahmad Ayaz and Ali Yar Khan and ANP, Col (retd) Shamsul Akbar (independent), Khairul Amin (Pakhtoonkhwa Qaumi Party), Iftikhar Ahmad Khan, Dildar Khan, Ibrar Khan of PML_N Saleem Iqbal, and Mohammad Afsar (independents) have withdrawn their papers.

In this constituency, Shehreyar Khan of Awami National Party, Mohammad Usman (advocate) of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal are credible candidates.

From the NA-13 Swabi-II Liaquat Ahmad Khan (PML-N), Dr Mohammad Saleem (SQM), Asad Qaiser (Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf), and Abdul Asad (PPP). In this constituency Iftikhar Ahmad Khan of PML-N is a credible candidate who is supported by the four-party alliance and Maulana Khalil Ahmad of MMA and ANP’s Mohammad Sadiq are his strong opponents.

Similarly, from PF-31 Swabi-I Dr Saleem (SQM), and Aman Khan (ANP), are the main contestants and those who have withdrawn their nomination papers are include; Mohammad Zarshed (ANP), Dildar Khan (PML-N), Javed Iqbal Inqilabi, and Sikandar Sher (PPP), Akhtar Ali (PTI), Ibrar Khan, Mohammad Zaeen Khan, Mian Jan and Sarzamin Khan.

From PF-32 Swabi-II Col (retd) Hidayatullah (ANP), Col (retd) Shamsul Akbar (SQM), Khairul Amin (PQP), Iftikhar Hussain Khan, Afsar Ali (PML-N), Ghani Mohammad (PTI), had withdrawn their nomination papers. Here, Samiullah is a candidate of the four-party alliance. Aamir Khan (ANP), who is son of former MNA Haji Rehmanullah, is a strong candidate.

For PF-33 Swabi-III Mian Wasimuddin (PML-N), Mohammad Younis (PTI), and Safirullah (independent) had withdrawn their papers. Here, Ali Khan of PPP, is supported by the four parties, and Mukhtiar Khan (ANP) is a powerful candidate from here.

From PF-34 Swabi-IV Mohammad Ayaz Khan (MMA) and Mohammad Riaz (ANP), who were alternative candidates, had withdrawn their papers. The MMA candidate Abdul Majid Khan is a credible candidate and Raees Khan of the ANP is his opponent.

From PF-35 Swabi-V Sher Ahmad Khan (ANP), Iftikhar Khan and his brother Liaquat Ahmed Khan, Samiullah and Mohammad Idrees Khan (PML-N), Dilnawaz Khan (PPP), Asad Qaiser (PTI) and Gul Mast Khan had given up the contest in favour of their respective candidates.

In this constituency Sajad Ahmad (PML-QA), Fakhar Zaman (ANP) and Khanzada Abdul Hafeez Khan are credible candidates.

From PF-36 Swabi-VI Ishfaq Ahmad (PML-N), Mohammad Zahid (ANP), Salim Khan (PTI) and Mohammad Israr and Abdul Asad (PPP) had withdrawn their nomination papers. Aamir Saeed (PML-N) and Faraz Khan (ANP) are strong candidates.

The nephew of former provincial food minister Ghafoor Jadoon is also contesting from this constituency, but his family lost credibility when he turned approver against the former NWFP chief minister, Sardar Mehtab Khan, in the wheat scandal case.