MIANWALI, March 6: The tussle between khidmat Ittehad and Rokri Group, both belonging to the ruling party, is adversely affecting the PML vote bank here, besides pushing the local issues to backburner
The Khidmat Ittehad, headed by Dr Sher Afgan Khan Niazi, federal minister for parlimentary affairs, is supported by MPA Amanatullah Khan Shadi Khel and District Nazim Obaidullah Khan Shadikhel, while the Rokri group, under Gul Hameed Khan Rokri, provincial minister for revenue, enjoys the blessings of Sabtain Khan, provincial minister for mines and minerals and MPA Amir Hayat Rokri.
Because of the ongoing power struggle between the groups, the affairs of the district government are going from bad to worse. Under the present circumstances, the district government officials, especially those backed by powerful Rokris, have got a free hand to run its affairs according to their whims, subjecting the citizens to worst sort of misadministration.
The tussle is also hitting development in the district. The Cadet College announced for Mianwali on the recommendation of Rokri group was shifted to Kot Chandna, the hometown of Shadikhels after intervention by Khidmat Ittehad.
Similarly, the judicial complex proposed for Piplan tehsil will now be built 18 kilometers away at Harnoli More, despite resentment among the
people over shifting of the project.
In another instance, the DHGQ hospital medical superintendent who was transferred on the recommendation of the district nazim for remaining absent from his duty was allegedly bailed out by Rokris, causing embarrassment for the elected head of the district.
In the same way, district nazim could not get transferred an `ill-reputed’ DO (Revenue) as he was backed by Rokris, who also played a role in securing the officer an extension in service.
Local political circles are of the view that the tussle would cause resentment among voters against the government, which they could vent in the upcoming polls.
The recent defeat of the ruling Khidmat Ittehad backed candidate for the slot of UC 29 nazim from chakral at the hands of Rokri group man has
caused embarrassment for the group.
In a related development, former district nazim Humair Hayat Rokri has announce on Tuesday that he would contest the coming election to the National Assembly against Dr Sher Afghan from NA-72 as an independent candidate if he was refused PML ticket.