Saifullahs out to muster support of political heavyweights in Lakki Marwat

LAKKI MARWAT: Saifullah brothers have expedited their efforts to muster support of political heavyweights and influential elders for the February 8 polls.

Former federal ministers Salim Saifullah Khan and Anwar Saifullah Khan, former Senator Osman Saifullah Khan and former provincial minister Dr Hisham Inamullah Khan are in the electoral race for the sole national assembly and three provincial assembly constituencies in Lakki Marwat district.

After submission of nominations, the scrutiny process is underway and the Saifullah brothers have succeeded in gathering the support of several political elite and notables of the district.

In a recent development, two heavyweights, including Dr Sarfaraz Meenakhel and Barrister Abid Nawaz met Salim Saifullah Khan at his residence and discussed with him the prevailing political and electoral scenario of the district.

A source said that the Meenakhels joined Marwat Qaumi Ittehad, a group formed by influential Saifullahs to bring various clans’ elders and political elite on a single platform to win coming general elections.

Dr Sarfaraz, a former tehsil naib nazim and son of former city nazim Dr Khalid Latif, is the divisional general secretary of Pakistan People’s Party.

His cousin Barrister Abid Nawaz also remained active in politics in the past, belong to an influential Meenakhel tribe, both are popular among youths.

Their family has a strong influence in Lakki city and parts of the district, the source said that the elders of the Meenakhel tribe assured the Saifullahs that their family and supporters would support them in the upcoming general elections.

Meanwhile, former minister Salim Saifullah Khan visited Dr Khalid Latif and his son Dr Sarfraz at their residence in Lakki city on Wednesday.

He told journalists that his family had united the elders and clans’ chiefs on a single platform under the banner of Marwat Qaumi Ittehad.

Saifullah asked the people, especially women and youths, to come out of their houses on February 8 to cast votes and play a role in transforming the backwardness of the district into development.

Also, former federal minister and PPP leader Anwar Saifullah Khan addressed a gathering at the hujra of PPP district president Iqbal Hussain Advocate in Mamakhel area of Naurang town.