Ex-MPA says he is still loyal to JUI-F

MANSEHRA: Maulana Asmatullah, who recently tendered resignation as Member Provincial Assembly of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, on Wednesday accused the provincial leadership of the party of ignoring him.

"The party preferred others to me. I was left with no other option but to tender resignation but I am still loyal to my party, JUI-F," he told reporters here. He accused JUI-F provincial head Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan of conspiring against him and promoting grouping in the party to establish his monopoly.

"I am a senior lawmaker and member of JUI-F but Maulana Gul Naseeb preferred Mufti Kifayatullah to me and took him in the core body of party. I was ignored," Asmatullah complained.

He said Maulana Fazlur Rehman should take notice of the grouping and take action against those who were responsible for it. The Maulana added that Zargul Khan, divisional president of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in Hazara, was the unanimous contender from all tribes in PK-62. "I appreciate Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and Zargul Khan as they did their level best to maintain unity among all tribes in Kohistan," said Asmatullah.