SWABI, July 3: Local political activists, government employees, doctors, lawyers, traders and workers have agreed to form a forum, Jaag Swabi Jaag, to jointly work for the people’s rights in the district.

The agreement came during a meeting of the representatives of the ruling Awami National Party, Pakistan People’s Party-Sherpao, Jamaat-i-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Sami, Swabi Qaumi Mahaz, Swabi Jamhoori Ittehad Pakistan, Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf, Pakistan People’s Party-Parliamentarians, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, All Government Employees Coordination Council, Malgary Doctoran, Swabi Bar Association and trade and worker unions.

Leaders of the movement met here the other day and said they won’t allow anyone to use the forum for political purposes.

Participants Ijaz Khalid and Zakir Khan later told reporters that all local groups working for the rights of the people, including doctors, lawyers, traders and workers had promised support to their forum.

They said unfortunately, the district had been ignored by the successive governments to the misery of locals, who rendered great sacrifices for the construction of Tarbela Dam and Ghazi Barotha hydropower project.

Mr Ijaz said the first problem that the forum wanted to resolve on war footing was the excessive loadshedding.

“Tarbela Dam located in our district produces around 40,000 megawatts of electricity, which is supplied to the whole country. However, our district remains without electric supply most part of the day and night,” he said.

Mr Ijaz demanded the laying of a special power transmission line from Tarbela Dam for smooth supply of electricity to Swabi.

He said the forum would also work for resolving the people’s problems and forging unity among them.

ANP district general secretary Tamraiz Khan said as a representative of a major party of the district, he supported the forum and participated in its meeting.

“Any move, which can change the lot of the people, will be supported by our party workers and leaders,” he said.