ISLAMABAD, Aug 31: Amir Muqam, the chief of the NWFP chapter of the Pakistan Muslim League-Q, has contradicted reports that he has announced support for Pakistan People’s Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari in the presidential election.

The MNA from Shanglapar in Swat told this correspondent that he had met Minister for States and Frontier Regions Najmuddin Khan by chance after a meeting with Law Minister Farooq H. Naek along with a delegation of about a dozen MNAs and MPAs from Malakand region to discuss matters relating to Swat valley.

Najmuddin Khan had issued a press release claiming that all the MNAs and MPAs led by Mr Muqam had met him and announced their support for Mr Zardari.

Mr Muqam said Mr Zardari’s candidature had not come under discussion and the press release had been issued without his consent.

He claimed that he had requested the minister from Dir to vote for PML-Q candidate Mushahid Hussain Sayed.

He said he could not even think of supporting any candidate other than his party’s secretary general.