SWABI: The nomination of MPA-elect Aqibullah Khan for the slot of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly speaker by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf was warmly welcomed by residents of Swabi district.

Aqibullah is brother of Asad Qaiser, the former speaker of National Assembly. Party insiders told this scribe that Asad Qaiser had met with Ali Amin Gandapur, the party nominee for KP chief minister slot, and later with PTI founder Imran Khan in Adyala jail. After his meetings, Senator Mohammad Ali Saif announced the name of Mr Aqibullah for the coveted slot.

Sohail Yousafzai, PTI district president, said that it was really happy news for the leaders and workers of the party in the district. Aqibullah got MBA degree from University of Peshawar. He is presently head of Quaid-i-Azam Group of Schools, owned by Asad Qaiser family.

“Aqibullah was picked by our party founder Imran Khan due to his tremendous contribution to the party at very difficult time,” he said.

Aqib was elected MNA in by-elections after 2008 general polls on the seat, which was vacated by Asad Qaiser. He was also elected MPA in by-elections soon after 2013 polls and this seat was also vacated by his brother.

In the Feb 8 elections, he won provincial assembly seat PK-50 by defeating Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate Babar Khan.

Sources in the party said whenever he was awarded ticket, a number of PTI leaders and workers opposed him but later on reconciled and on every occasion he emerged victorious.

Anwar Haqdad, former district president of PTI, and retired Major Fida Hussain, the district general secretary, said that it was a big achievement for the party that Aqib was nominated for the slot of speaker, predicting that ministers and advisers were also expected to be nominated from Swabi.

PTI has swept elections in the district, winning two seats of National Assembly and five seats of provincial assembly for the second time.

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2024