SWAT: The Malakand chapter of Gujjar Youth Forum has decided to field its own candidates for the local bodies’ elections instead of supporting any political party in the polls.
Addressing a press conference in Swat Press Club here on Sunday, the leaders of the forum said that Gujjars always supported candidates of other political parties in elections but they were repeatedly ignored. “However, this time we will field our own representatives to contest the local bodies’ elections,” they added.
The press conference was addressed by GYF chairman for Malakand division Naseem Jan, Lower Swat chairman Dr Tariq, Kabal tehsil general secretary Shamshair, Saudi Arabia wing central chairman Malik Aqalmand, chief organiser Malik Saz Khan, provincial chairman Hakeem Jan and Gujjar Youth Forum Student Committee of Malakand chairman Waqas Khan.
“We will show unity and support our own candidates. We will fight collectively for their success. Gujjars are not well off but we strongly believe that this time our candidates will succeed to serve the poor,” they said.
They said that rich candidates forgot poor after coming into power. They urged the poor and lower middle class to wake up and stand united for their rights. “We should support the candidates of Gujjars. We also expect our candidates that they would resolve the issues of Gujjars and all the poor people,” they added.
The GYF leaders said that Gujjars nominated Dr Khalid Mahmood for the slot of Mingora mayor, Maulana Rahimullah for Matta tehsil, Shamsher for Kabul tehsil and Khaista Gul for Barikot tehsil and were hopeful of their success.
“We are in majority in these tehsils and it is our responsibility to support our candidates to make them successful,” they said and added that the GYF was committed to making their candidates victorious in the polls.
They said that they were grateful to the leaders and youth of Gujjars for showing trust in the youth. They also expected that all Gujjars would make their representatives successful in the coming local bodies’ elections.
Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2022