SWABI: Relations between the local leaders of coalition partners -- Qaumi Watan Party and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf -- have been deteriorated owing to alleged meddling of the ruling party in the affairs of PK-34 constituency of Swabi, according to sources.

They said that the rivalry between the leaders of both the parties might have far-reaching impacts on the politics of the province. After rejoining of the PTI-led provincial government by QWP in October last, it was for the first time that differences between leaders of both the parties surfaced, they said.

They said the situation turned worse when Asad Qaisar, speaker of provincial assembly and Provincial Health Minister Shahram Khan Tarakai allegedly interfered in affairs of the PK-34, the constituency of Abdul Karim, adviser to chief minister.

Sources in QWP said that ruling party gave jobs to nine people in village councils and 14 people in health department in PK-34 which was strongly resented by Mr Karim.

Differences between QWP and PTI likely to affect politics of the province

“It was a big surprise for him that he was kept in the dark about fresh appointments in his constituency,” said a QWP leader. Earlier similar allegations were also levelled by MPA Babar Khan against the ruling party leaders.

When Mr Karim protested against the fresh appointments, the leaders of the ruling party told him that the candidates were appointed by the officials concerned and they knew nothing about the appointments.

However, sources said, Mr Karim made it clear to the party leaders and his friends that it was not possible to appoint a person without getting green signal from the two leaders of PTI. The appointments had been made on their directive by the officials concerned, said the sources.

They said that QWP leaders might submit a privilege motion in the provincial assembly in that regard. They said that Mr Karim also wrote a letter to chief minister in that connection.

Sources said that issue was also brought in the notice of QWP chief Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, who would raise it with PTI leaders soon.

The leaders of the ruling party, when contacted, said that the appointments were made on merit by officials of the departments concerned and they were not involved in the process.

ARRESTED: Police claimed to have arrested four persons for assaulting and killing of a five-year-old girl.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, DSP Izhar Shah said that the body of the girl was found in the fields few days ago. He said that they arrested four persons, who confessed to their crime.

In another incident, police arrested three persons allegedly involved in assaulting and killing of a girl. The girl was assaulted and killed allegedly by four people. Later on she was buried in Saleem Khan area and acid was thrown on her face.

Her body was found by the labourers, who were busy in digging in the area.

The DSP said that three persons were arrested in the case but their fourth accomplice was still at large.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2016