SWABI: Awami National Party is likely to have a bumpy ride in Swabi district after former district nazim Jehan Zeb Khan along with supporters rejoined it to the dismay of his rivals in the party.

The activists, who are opposed to the party accepting deserters, are upset for not being consulted by the leadership on the Jehan Zeb Khan’s return.

Analysts fear things may spin out of control if the top leadership doesn’t step in without delay and address infighting within the party.

ANP has two major groups in the district, one led by Mr Jehan Zeb and the other by former MNA Rehmanullah. Both have strong support in the party.

Mr Jehan Zeb along with supporters left ANP after former ANP leader Azam Hoti announced Mr Rehmanullah would be the ANP district president.

Now after Mr Hoti’s exit, things have changed a bit though Mr Rehmanullah continues to be in strong position.

Mr Jehan Zeb is unwilling to accept a deserter as the party’s district president.

When contacted, former ANP district general secretary Tamraiz Khan said Jehan Zeb Khan’s return would cerate problems for the party in the district.

He said ANP Central President Asfandyar Wali Khan should step in to prevent the things from worsening.

“Some leaders have been already initiated the process of patching up things between the two groups. I think they’ve already made a ceasefire agreement. However, the party may have difficult time until Asfandyar Wali intervenes and makes the two groups to come to terms,” he said.

Mr Tamraiz said ANP desperately needed unity and the leadership was well aware of it.

“It’s time that Asfandyar Wali come forward,” he said.

PPP CANDIDATE TO JOIN PTI: Asad Zaman Sher, who contested the May 11 election from PK-34, Swabi-VI on the Pakistan People’s Party ticket, has decided to join Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf along with supporters.

Mr Asad, son of late Sher Zaman Sher, is a leading politician of the district.

Three months ago, the provincial PTI leadership sent a jirga led by MNA Aqibullah Khan to his hujra to persuade him to join the ruling party in the province.

The jirga members held two meeting with Mr Asad, who later said he would decide about whether or not to join PTI after consulting supporters and sympathisers.

Mr Asad met supporters and sympathisers several times lately and got their nod for joining PTI. They, however, told him to ensure that his political interests are protected well.

“The workers told him (Mr Asad) that he should take the decision keeping its impact in mind,” said an insider.

Afterwards, the PTI leaders held another meeting with Mr Asad.

During that meeting, it was decided that Mr Asad would formally announce to join PTI along with supporters very soon in a public meeting at his native town.

PTI leaders said Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Asad Qaiser had left for England on Friday and the proposed public meeting would take place on his homecoming.