LAKKI MARWAT, Oct 4: Local political leaders have intensified efforts to get the support of Pir Zakori group and boost their chances of winning a seat from the district in upcoming general election.

The Pir Zakori group has a large number of followers and supporters in the district and its strong influence in politics could be judged from the fact that late Pir Khalid Raza Zakori had won the seat of PK-75 (Lakki-II) in June 2008 by-elections. Many consider support of Zakori group as a sign of victory in elections.

After the death of former provincial minister Khalid Zakori, his political group known as ‘Pir Zakori group’ is now being led by his son Pir Fawad Raza Zakori.

The Pir Zakori group plays a pivotal role in traditional politics of the area and this is the reason local politicians are trying to get its support.

A recent meeting between Fawad Zakori and former tehsil nazim Anwar Hayat Khan, an expected candidate for PK-74 (Lakki-I), has alarmed other political elites of the district. Mr Hayat is affiliated with Jamaat-i-Islami and is considered a strong contender for the coming election.

Previous elections reveal that local Khans and other contestants always tried to take an edge over one another by getting support of Zakori group. Both Mr Zakori and Mr Hayat discussed matters pertaining to local politics and the coming election. They agreed to continue talks to reach an agreement before forthcoming polls.

When contacted, Mr Hayat confirmed holding a meeting with chief of Zakori group Fawad Zakori at Niamatabad near Naurang. “We will keep a close liaison and coordination with each other to reach a decision agreeable to both sides,” he said and added that he was optimistic about getting support of the group. —Correspondent