ABBOTTABAD: Waqar Nabi of PTI, who is expected to be a candidate for the district nazim slot from Abbottabad in the local government polls, was on Tuesday elected unopposed from Namli Mera union council after his rival JI candidate withdrew his nomination papers.

Mr Nabi, a cousin of Chief Election Commissioner Sardar Mohammad Raza, had also contested election to the provincial assembly from PK-48 in 2008, but lost. He had contested the election as indep endent candidate after refusal of ticket to him by PML-N.

Later, he joined PTI during a visit of Chief Minister Pervez Khattak to the district, and at that time he was assured of being given the slot of the district nazim in the local government elections.

It was said that JI district emir Abdur Razzaq Abbasi played key role in making his party candidate, Mohammad Idrees Awan, to quit race in favour of Mr Nabi, in return for the support of the Nabi’s tribe for JI tehsil council candidate, Malik Mohammad Hanif.

Meanwhile, DPO Abbottabad Sher Akbar Khan suspended SHO Lora police station, Chan Zeb, and Havaldar Mustafa, for showing negligence in duty and failure to control crimes like robberies.

Dacoits burgled five jewellery shops in Lora bazaar on Sunday night, taking away gold and jewellery worth over Rs 8 million. At least 10 armed dacoits tied the watchman with ropes and broke open the locks of various shops. The police were immediately informed about the incident but they reached the spot two hours later, according to the affected shopkeepers. DPO Abbottabad also came to the spot and assured the victims of early arrest of culprits and recovery of the looted jewellery.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2015

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