WANA: The pro-government Pakistani Taliban faction, Mullah Nazir group has summoned the electoral candidates contesting from National Assembly seat of NA-41in South Waziristan’s Wana for a meeting on Thursday.

Through a pamphlet, issued by Mullah Nazir group's key commander Salahuddin Ayubi in Wana Bazaar, he has asked all the candidates to meet at Taliban commander Ainullah's office in Wana’s Kari Kot Bazaar on Thursday at 4 pm.

About 53 candidates including nominees of political parties and independents have submitted papers for the said constituency.

Local sources told Dawn.Com that the group would likely try to persuade candidates to project the image of the group or to get kickbacks from them.

Ayaz Wazir of ANP, Amanullah of PPPP, Ajab Gul Wazir of PTI, Ghalib Khan Wazir of PML-N, Mualana Abdul Malik of JUI-F, Mualana Zar Wali of JUI-S besides independents are vying for the slot.

Some sources believe that the Taliban meeting is also likely to discuss the threats issued by the TTP to PPPP, ANP and MQM. Some tribal elders also believe that the religious parties’ candidates are likely to have an edge over others as the Taliban hold the religious parties in high esteem as compared to the liberals who are being threatened of dire consequences.

The PML-N and PTI are among some other parties who had never been under direct fire of the Pakistani Taliban.

Maulana Abdul Malik, who had won twice in the elections, is likely to win for the third time if supported by the Wana Taliban. Another probable to have a victory is independent Nasirullah Wazir.

Some sources say that the Mullah Nazir group will influence the polls in NA-41 as they are calling the shots in Ahmed Zai Wazir area.