MANSEHRA: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has secured majority in the Mansehra Tehsil Council to form the next local government.

The development comes as a group of eight independently elected councillors join the PML-N. The PML-N had won local body elections in 12 of the total of 36 wards in Mansehra tehsil.

Its strength in tehsil council increased to 20 after the group of eight independent councillors announced joining of the PML-N.

Members of the group led by Khurram Khan Swati appeared before Mansehra district returning officer Aamir Khattak and produced documents showing their decision to join the PML-N.

Among them were councilors-elect Raja Ayaz of City Union Council No 1, Syed Ibrar Shah of City Union Council No 2, Umar Farooq of City Union Council No 3, Khurram Khan Swati of City Union Council No 4, Malik Arab Khan of Union Council Behali, Arif Khan of Union Council Lassan Thakral, Khalid Qureshi of Jabar Davli Union Council and Israr of Jabori Union Council.

The DRO examined the documents submitted by councillors- elect and issued them the receipt. Now, it is clear who will form the local governments in Mansehra district and its three tehsils.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf will install own government in district only, whereas governments in Mansehra and Balakot tehsils will be formed by the PML-N and that in Oghi tehsil by Jamaat-i-Islami.

Insiders said local PML-N leadership was considering different names for the offices of Mansehra and Balakot tehsil council chairmen. They said the nominees would be from within the party.

RIVALS KILL MAN: Rivals gunned down a man and injured his friend in Allai area here on Friday. The gunmen escaped after firing.

The local police said Mohammad Ibrar along with friend Ghufran were on the way to his house when a group of armed men from rival group intercepted them and fired gunshots at them. Mohammad Ibrar, father of four, died instantly. However, Ghufran was critically injured.

The injured was shifted to a nearby hospital but was referred to the Ayub Medical Complex Abbottabad for critical condition.

An old enmity was stated to be the cause of the attack. The Allai police later registered FIR against the alleged killers and began search for them. — Correspondent

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2015

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