SWABI: Pakistan Muslim League-N provincial president Engr Amir Muqam has failed to end the persisting deadlock among the local leaders who are divided into two groups, which has confused the party workers at a time when the general elections are fast approaching, sources in the PML-N told Dawn here on Saturday.

One of the groups is led by district president Shiraz Khan, who is supported by Sajjad Khan, the party’s contesting candidate for NA-18, Swabi-1, while the rival group is led by the party’s member of the central working committee, Iftikhar Ahmad Khan, and district general secretary Dildar Khan.

When contacted, Mr Ahmad and Mr Dildar said they wanted the removal of Mr Shiraz from the party’s senior post despite the requests made by Mr Muqam to soften their stand on the matter.

The major objection against Mr Shiraz is that he ignored the old leaders in award of poll tickets, leading to polarisation in the party at a critical time.

Mr Ahmad insisted that Mr Shiraz should be removed because he failed to full his responsibilities as the PML-N district president.

Mr Dildar, however, said the problems between the two groups would be resolved within three days as the consultations continued.

The group led by Mr Shiraz denies the allegations and says they have played due role in strengthening the party in the district.

It has been learnt that Mr Muqam has assured both Mr Shiraz and Mr Sajjad to continue their election campaign with vigour. However, observers here believe that despite continued efforts of Mr Muqam differences persisted between the two groups.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2018