SWABI, March 10: Several leaders belonging to ruling coalition parties in Swabi district are weighting their options to shift their loyalties soon after the announcement of caretaker setup for coming general election, while many others have already done so, political sources said.
Sajid Khan, former PML-Q provincial vice-president, has joined the PML-N. He had contested both the previous elections from PK-34, Swabi-4, but could not win.
A source claimed that Mr Khan joined the PML-N after an assurance that he would get the party ticket for PK-34.
Maulana Khalil Ahmad, former JUI-F MNA has joined the JUI (Nazriati) after differences surfaced between him and former provincial minister Maulana Fazal Ali. Both are likely to contest election against each other.
Besides, former ANP district general secretary Jehan Zeb Khan, Salim Khan advocate and Jamil advocate — who once was associated with Swabi Qaumi Mahaz — had joined the Qaumi Watan Party.
Salman Wali, a former activist of Awami Jamhoori Ittehad Pakistan (AJIP), had also joined the QWP besides Gohar Rehman and former councillor Afsar Khan.
Among other political changes, former MPA Jan Bahadar resigned from the QWP and joined Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf, while his son Jehanzeb Bahadar was expected to contest elections from PK-32, Swabi-II. Fazalur Rehman, former provincial president of PML-N youth wing, has also joined the PTI. Khursheed Bacha, former chairman of the district safety commission quit the ANP and joined AJIP the other day.
In a related development, several former union council nazims have joined the AJIP, rejuvenating their relations with former district nazim Shahram Tarakai.
Talking to this correspondent, JUI-F’s Maulana Fazal Ali claimed that they had succeeded to win the support of 650 families in Karnal Sher Kili, who were earlier associated with the ANP.
Former minister Ghafoor Khan Jadoon, who had turned approver against his chief minister Mehtab Abbasi in the wheat scandal case, has not yet joined any political party.
He is said to be trying to rejoin the PML-N.
However, when contacted PML-N district general secretary Dildar Khan said that Mr Jadoon would not be allowed in the party. However, Mr Jadoon is likely to contest election from PK-36, Swabi-6, from where he had won elections three times.
