SHANGLA: Special assistant to chief minister Arshad Khan Umarzai has accused the PML-N leaders of keeping Shangla district backward.

He was speaking at a public meeting organised by Qaumi Watan Party at Kas Pagorai here on Tuesday.

Former provincial minister Bakht Baidar Khan, QWP district chief Mutawakil Khan, Zameen Gul, Fazal Rehman Nono and others also spoke on the occasion.

Scores of political activists from various parties, including Pagorai village council nazim Amjad Ali Khan, announced joining the QWP.

Mr Umarzai said PML-N leader Amir Muqam and his family had been ruling the district since it bifurcation from Swat, but the area was still backward.

He claimed that the development of the backward districts was priority of QWP, saying the party would defeat the PML-N in the coming general elections.

Baidar Khan asked Shangla people to think twice before casting their vote in the elections and choose sincere and honest people for bright future of their children.

He said party leader Aftab Sherpao was taking keen interest in development of the district.

PPP RALLY: A car rally of Pakistan People`s Party, Shangla chapter, left for Malakand on Tuesday to participate in a public meeting to be addressed by PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

About 400 vehicles were part of the procession, which tool(off fromAlpuri.

PPP local president Engr Hamid Iqbal and general secretary Ajab Khan led the rally, where the participants were chanting slogans in praise of Mr Zardari. Correspondent