City management: Five PTI candidates vie for district nazim seat

Muhammad Younas Zaheer is in lead, says insider.

PESHAWAR: Five candidates are vying for the seat of the Peshawar district nazim.

However, insiders believe Muhammad Younas Zaheer is the strongest candidate among them and is likely to become the next district nazim for the district.

An office bearer of the party privy to the development said Zaheer and four others are in the run for the coveted post.

“The candidates include Syed Qasim Ali Shah, Fahim Ahmad Khan, Asim Khan and Sajjad Khan,” he said.

No restrictions

A PTI official, requesting anonymity, said nine PTI members of the K-P Assembly who belong to the district have supported Zaheer for the post.



“Only one MPA from Peshawar, Ziaullah Afridi, has vehemently opposed Zaheer’s appointment due to personal differences,” he said. “Since the former minister for mines and mineral development was arrested in a corruption case, the candidate’s prospects of winning have become stronger.”

Green signal

The official said Chief Minister Pervez Khattak also suggested Zaheer’s name for the post.

“Khattak expects the party to make an official announcement in this regard,” he added.

When contacted, Zaheer told The Express Tribune the PTI parliamentary board will have the last word.

“The board will consist of party stalwarts and will make an appropriate selection,” he said.

Zaheer added he has a thorough understanding with everyone in the party, including the PTI chairman.

“I trust PTI to make a decision which is in its best interest,” he said. “I will accept whatever they decide.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2015.