SWABI: A jirga of local people held here on Saturday gave ‘green signal’ to the Awami National Party leaders Shah Nawaz and Sarfraz Khan Jadoon to contest the upcoming general elections as independent candidates.

Mr Nawaz was first awarded election ticket for NA-18, Swabi-I, and Mr Jadoon for PK-43, Swabi-I, by ANP, but a few days ago their tickets were withdrawn and the same were given to the party’s district general secretary Mohammad Islam and a leading trader of Topi city Faisal Zaman, respectively.

Mr Jadoon was elected twice on the ANP ticket and Mr Nawaz’s family had rendered tremendous sacrifices for the party.

Jirga gives go-ahead to Shah Nawaz for NA-18, Sarfraz Jadoon for PK-43

The abrupt decision had sent a shock wave across the district, said Mr Nawaz. “We did not get even a phone call from the party leaders about the decision. We were also not invited for consultation to Bacha Khan Markaz, Peshawar, to announce the decision,” he said.

About 7,000 people, including elders, participated in the jirga. Hafiz Khan, Pakistan Peoples Party leader, and MPA Meraj Humayun also attended the gathering. They said that they came to know about the withdrawal of tickets through media. The decision came as a shock for them.

The jirga unanimously endorsed the decision that the two would run their election campaign as independent candidates. “After running the campaign for three months my ticket was withdrawn,” said Mr Nawaz.

The jirga members said that by withdrawing the tickets the ANP leadership had flagrantly violated its own constitution and principles. They said that the two leaders enjoyed respect across the district, but ANP had annoyed them.

It has been learnt that PPP and leaders of some other political parties had contacted them to contest the election under their flag, but they refused and decided to follow the jirga decision.

Insiders in ANP said that the decision would certainly have a far-reaching impact on the performance of ANP candidates in the election.

Mr Jadoon also enjoys great respect among people in Gadoon Amazai belt and Mr Nawaz could cover Topi tehsil and rest of the constituency.

The jirga members said that they would stand with the two leaders in the election and oppose the ANP candidates.

Mr Hafiz said that he was member of the PPP central executive committee, but seeing the people’s enthusiasm he would fully support the two candidates in the election. MPA Meraj Humayun also backed the two candidates to contest election as independent candidates.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2018