LOWER DIR: PTI former tehsil president Malik Fawad Ahmad on Monday quit his party and joined Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf-Parliamentarians along with scores of his relatives and supporters.

He made the announcement during a press conference at the Timergara Press Club here. PTI-P candidate for PK-17 and former provincial minister Muzafar Said was also present.

Mr Ahmad said he was parting his ways with PTI after serving it for 17 years.

He said his supporters and relatives would also support the PTI-P candidate in PK-17. He said he had made the decision in the best interest of the area people. Leader of Insaf Students’ Federation Wasim Khan also announced to join PTI-P at the presser.

Speaking on the occasion, Muzafar Said claimed his party would form the next government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said he would try his best to initiate mega development projects in Dir after coming into power.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-i-Islami leaders on Monday announced to launch a skills’ development programme for youth in Lower Dir.

Speaking at a news conference at the Timergara Press Club, JI tehsil chief Malik Sher Bahadar, Fahimuddin, Inayatullah, Arshad Khan and others asked people to vote for JI candidates for ending corruption, price hike, lawlessness and unemployment. They said JI would never disappoint the masses after coming into power.

BOOK LAUNCHED: An Urdu poetry book ‘kawish’ penned by a student, Mehak Tajik, was launched during a function in Timergara on Monday.

Tanzeem Asateza Pakistan’s former president and grandfather of Ms Tajik, Syed Jehan Badshah was the chief guest on the occasion.

Central chairman of Tajik Milli Ittehad Ihsan Tajik, Javed Akhtar Advocate, Saeed Ahmad Advocate, former provincial president of All Pakistan Clerks’ Association Mohammad Shaer Tajik, poets Iqbal Hussain Salar, Muslim Khan Wisal, Habib Ahmad and others appreciated the young poet, and said very few poets expressed themselves in the national language.

They said Ms Tajik had done a great job and her book would add valuable work to Urdu literature. The speakers asked youth to develop book reading habit instead of wasting time on social media. The guests also awarded prizes to the young poet.

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Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2024