Coming together: ‘PML-N will form Swat district govt with consensus’

PM’s adviser Amir Muqam <br /> says mutual understanding among parties crucial to protect people’s interests

MINGORA:

Unlike the past, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is going to establish a district government in Swat with a consensus and it would be a government of the people in the real sense, said Adviser to the Prime Minister Amir Muqam on Sunday.

Addressing a public gathering at Mankyal in Bahrain, Swat, Muqam said, “We are determined to ensure the safety and protection of the genuine interests of Swat’s people. These interests can be preserved by mutual understanding among leaders and representatives of all political parties.”



On the occasion, independently-elected district councillors Fazal Rabbi and Mian Shujaat Ali, and tehsil councillor Dr Shah Khan announced they were joining PML-N.

With the support of two independent councillors, PML-N’s strength in Swat’s  67-member district council has risen to 27, while the strength of the six-party alliance, of which the party is a member, stands at 40.

Aside from PML-N, the alliance comprises Awami National Party with eight seats, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl with two seats, Pakistan Peoples Party and Jamaat-e-Islami with one each. The alliance also has an independent councillor in its midst.

In the recently-concluded local government elections, the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf succeeded in winning 22 district seats and it also has the support of five independent councillors.

However, given the alliance’s numbers, it seems it will be hard for PTI to form a district government in Swat. PTI emerged as a strong political force in the district in the May 2013 general elections by winning seven provincial assembly seats. However, the local government polls have seen its clout diminish.

Muqam further said following the failure of PTI ministers, advisers and MPAs to bring any real development to Swat, leaders of other political parties have decided to form their government on the tehsil and district level with a consensus.

The PM’s adviser expressed hope that positive outcomes will come out of the alliance as the people of Swat have pinned great expectations on it.

A large number of people, including the two elected councillors, also announced their switch to PML-N at the rally.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2015.