LAKKI MARWAT: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F leader and independent candidate from PK-93, Lakl(i Marwat-III, Zafrullah Khan Marwat, has refused to withdraw from the election race in favour of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal contender Anwar Hayat Khan.

Mr Zafrullah, who had won the provincial assembly seat of PK-74 (now PK-93) in 2002 general elections, is the nephew of former MPA Munawar Khan Advocate, who is also contesting on MMA ticket from PK-91, Lakki Marwat-I.

Anwar Khan had also won the seat in the last general elections by defeating former federal minister Anwar Saifullah Khan.

Mr Zafrullah is running his election drive in areas where JUI-F has strong influence, thus affecting the campaign of the MMA contender. During previous MMA government, Zafrullah had carried out a number of uplift projects in the constituency, which will go to his benefit now.

According to sources, Zafrullah had developed differences with his family elders who had advised him to stay away from the election, but he revolted against the decision of elders and jumped into poll arena from PK-93.

On Monday, a senior JUI-F leader and head of Marwat Qaumi Jirga had alleged that Munawar Khan betrayed the party and fielded his nephew Zafrullah from PK-93 against the MMA candidate.

The local JUI-F leadership, sensing the gravity of the situation, approached Zafrullah several times in a bid to convince him to withdraw from the race, but no avail.

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had also cancelled his planned visit to Lakki city a few days ago because he was unhappy over Zafrullah`s presence in election race against MMA candidate.

A political analyst said to win provincial assembly seat Anwar Hayat would have to work hard.

FACILITIES AT POLLING STATIONS: The education department has asked the heads of schools to ensure availability of basic facilities at their respective institutions, where the election commission has established polling stations for the July 25 elections.

The directions were issued in light of decisions taken at a high-level meetings chaired by the deputy commissioner, said an official source on Tuesday, adding civil and military officials attended the meeting to discuss polls related matters with special focus on ensuring provision of basic facilities at the polling stations.

The district administration has also provided Rs2.8million to the education department for installation of CCTV cameras in most sensitive polling stations.

Many polling stations have been set up in public sector schools, where the authorities during visits noted lack of facilities and shared the same with officials of education department, he maintained. The source said the election commission and the district administration wanted availability of electricity and drinking water, functional washrooms and uninterrupted power supply.