SWABI: Most of the Awami National Party’s former lawmakers, who dominated politics in Swabi district during their party’s five-year rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have almost lost contact with the party workers following the 2013 general elections.

A survey conducted by this correspondent revealed that that the party workers in the district had been strongly feeling the absence of their former leaders from the political scene. They said that once the political leaders completed their tenure in government they almost stopped working for the people’s welfare.

However, the people here still remember founder of Swabi Qaumi Mahaz late Dr Mohammad Saleem and former district nazim late Sher Zaman Sher, who would serve the people irrespective of whether they are in government or not.

####Former lawmakers have lost contact with party workers

“These two leaders had worked with great enthusiasm,” said Rohul Amin, head of a welfare body.

Former minister for zakat and usher, Zar Shaid Khan, was one of the ANP leaders who could not be seen among people after the 2013 polls. Sources in the ANP said that he had developed differences with the leadership during the election when he was deprived of the party ticket for PF-31, Swabi-I. However, the senior party leaders visited his residence and a phone call from ANP president Asfandyar Wali Khan had resolved the differences.

“I would continue to work for the party,” Zar Shaid had later said, but was not seen among his workers since then. Mukhtiar Khan, then CM’s adviser, has also been out of the political scene. He was twice elected consecutively from PK-33, Swabi-III. During 2008 election campaign, Mr Asfandyar had said about Mukhtiar that he was one of the key leaders who could deliver according to the people’s expectations. However, insiders said that he was no longer interested in politics.

Former MPA Shoaib Khan has also gone into isolation after his differences with the party leaders.

Sikandar Irfan, former MPA who was awarded the ANP ticket for PK-35 Swabi-V on toss in 2008 elections, is no longer in political business. He has been off the scene after losing the election for the party district general secretary.

Dr Yasmeen Jasim, another former MPA and district president of the party’s women wing, has not been different. However, she said that she still followed the philosophy of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Asfandyar Wali Khan. “One thing is clear that we have devoted our life to ANP,” she claimed.

Meanwhile, two local leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party have joined Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. Asad Zaman, who was PPP candidate from PK-34, Swabi- IV, and retired Maj Fida Hussain, who contested from PK-31, Swabi-1, have recently joined PTI. Sources said that Qaumi Watan Party leader Salam Wali, who had contested election from PK-33, Swabi-III, was also expected to join PTI soon.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2015

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