KOHAT, Sept 16: Two Awami National Party MPAs, with the consent of the NWFP chief minister, have decided to use their influence to support a nominee of the Pakistan Muslim League for the post of the district nazim.

The chief minister is said to be wanting in return to ensure at least two seats for his nominees in the provincial assembly in the next general elections.

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) MNA, Mufti Ibrar Sultan, who never visited the city over past three years, was considered least important to be consulted on the issue owing to his differences with the chief minister.

The MNA has announced that he is fielding candidates for the posts of the district and tehsil nazims. Both the Awami National Party MPAs, one accompanied by his brother and other by his father, have held two consecutive meetings with the chief minister last weak to finalise the names of the candidates for the four posts of the district and tehsil nazims and naib nazims.

They have agreed to support Gohar Saif Ullah Bangash, a well known figure of Karachi, who has already been declared a favourite by the third MPA from the district, belonging to the Pakistan People’s Party (Sherpao).

Surprised and disappointed by the decision, the local leadership of the JUI-F and the Jamaat Islami has fielded their candidates for the slots of the district and tehsil nazims.

More than 200 councillors have been seen in lavish lunch and tea parties held by the MPAs.