SWABI, Nov 2: Former district nazim and Awami Jamhoori Ittehad Pakistan chairman Shahram Khan Tarakai and Swabi Qaumi Mahaz chairman Babar Salim on Friday announced to contest elections for the national assembly seats in the district.

Addressing a public meeting in Kadi area, Mr Tarakai said he would contest election from NA-13, Swabi on the party ticket.

He said poor policies of the current government, especially those of the provincial government, had forced his party to gear up activities in the district.

On the occasion, former nazim of Tandkoi union council along with his supporters announced to join AJIP, saying they would jointly work for strengthening the party.

Mr Tarakai has already held corner meetings and public meetings in NA-13.

Mr Tarakai belongs to a leading industrialist family of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and his two uncles, MNA Usman Khan Tarakai and MPA Javid Khan Tarakai, were elected in the 2008 elections.

The Tarakai family members contested election from the two constituencies, NA-12, Swabi-1 and PK-32, Swabi-11 and both seats were won by them. Mr Usman defeated ANP central president Asfandyar Wali Khan.

MNA Pervez Khan of Awami National Party won election in 2008 from the constituency, where Mr Shahram is a candidate, now.

Many insist the sitting MNA has failed to deliver and it might be difficult for ANP to retain the seat.

As for Babar Salim, he announced after the general body meeting of his party that he would contest election from NA-12, Swabi-1 and PK-31, Swabi-1.

Mr Babar is son of late Dr Muhammad Salim, who was elected twice from PK-31 and remained the provincial minister for health in the ANP-PML-N coalition government in 1988.

According to observers, the main focus of Mr Babar will be on PK-31 from where provincial minister for usher and zakat Zar Shahid Khan, ANP district general secretary Tamraiz Khan and PK-31 general secretary Mumtaz Ali, too, have planned to contest elections. All the three are strong candidates.