SWABI, Sept 8: Senior leaders of Awami National Party have held fruitful talks with rival party groups in Swabi district to resolve their long-running differences, sources said on Thursday.

A delegation, led by party provincial president Afrasiab Khattak, visited the residence of Jehan Zeb Khan, leader of one of the rival groups, late on Wednesday where he and Azam Hoti addressed the party workers, stressing unity in the party.

The delegation also included provincial general secretary Tajuddin, provincial information secretary Arbab Tahir and member of party's election commission Imran Afridi.

The rival Rehmanullah group members did not attend the gathering. However, Mr Hoti later visited his residence at Captain Karnal Sher Khan Kallay and held fruitful talks with the group leaders.

The ANP leaders claimed a breakthrough but it was not clear when the rival group leaders would meet to formally end their rift.

Earlier on Tuesday, a delegation led by Mr Tahir visited the residence of Mr Jehan Zeb and persuaded him and his supporters to postpone their hunger-strike in front of Bacha Khan Markaz, Peshawar, on Sept 7 against the party's provincial election commission while demanding 5,000 membership forms.

During his visit, Mr Khattak stressed unity, saying that it was high time that the party's local leaders and workers work jointly for strengthening it.

Mr Hoti said that difference of opinion was part of democratic approach, but rivalries should not be allowed to grow to such an extent that threatened the party's unity.

Representing Jehan Zeb group, Salim Khan said that the party workers would keep their brotherhood intact.

“We are surrendering ourselves to the party leadership and will accept its decision,” he said.

However, the unyielding workers of the group said that democracy no longer existed in the ANP and the tactics adopted by its leadership had harmed its position in the district.