LOWER DIR: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) influence in Lower Dir has solidified, as multiple candidates vying for PK-14, PK-15, and NA-7 declared their withdrawal in support of the party’s endorsed nominees in these constituencies.
The candidate of Rabita Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (RJUI) for NA-7, Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan, withdrew in favor of PTI candidate Syed Mahboob Shah, while the party’s candidate for PK-15, Bahadarzeb, also withdrew in favor of PTI nominee and former MPA Humayun Khan.
This announcement was made at a press conference held at Chakdara Press Club, where they emphasized the alliance between PTI and RJUI. Maulana Gul Naseeb, who also serves as the general secretary of his party, expressed solidarity with PTI chief Imran Khan, who was in jail at the time, and asserted that they could not leave him alone. He further stated that RJUI voters would wholeheartedly support PTI candidates in both constituencies, aiming to secure victory for Imran Khan by delivering both seats to the PTI.
Another disgruntled PTI candidate, Mohammad Inam Khan, who was running for NA-7, also withdrew his candidacy in favor of PTI nominee Syed Mahboob Shah. Former speaker of the National Assembly, Asad Qaiser, along with other PTI leaders, visited Inam’s residence and persuaded him to withdraw in support of the party-endorsed candidate.
During the announcement, Mr. Qaiser emphasized the critical phase that PTI was going through and urged all dissatisfied workers to withdraw for the sake of the party’s founder, Imran Khan. He assured that the party would offer a favorable position to Malik Inam Khan in the future.
In another development, PTI’s former district president, Ghulam Hussain, declared his withdrawal in support of the party’s candidate for PK-14, former MPA Mohammad Azam Khan. Ghulam Hussain had been contesting as an independent candidate for PK-14, and a significant number of party workers had been supporting him.
