Independents join PPPP, ANP ahead of deadline
Bureau Report

PESHAWAR—The race for joining ANP and PPPP by the independent MPAs elect of the NWFP Assembly ended in a draw between the two main coalition partners as it was joined by five each independents after the February 18 polls.
Of the total 21 independents MPAs elect in NWFP, five each joined the ANP, PPPP, one PML(N) and ten decided to maintain their independent status in the house. Those joined the ANP included Amjad Afridi from PF-37 Kohat, Mian Nisar Gul PF-40 Karak, Qazi Asad PF-50 Haripur, Akhtar Nawaz Khan PF-51 Haripur, and Maulana Obaidullah PF-61 Kohistan.
The independents who joined the PPPP are Major® Basir Khattak PF-15 Nowshera, Muhammad Shuja Khan PF-53 Mansehra, Mehmud Alam PF62 Kohistan, Sher Azam Wazir PF-71 Bannu, Anwar Saifullah Khan PF-74 and PF-75 Lakki Marwat. Anwar Saifullah has to vacate one PF seat over which by-elections would be held.
However Independent MPA elect Munawar Khan PF-76 Lakki Marwat has joined the Nawaz faction of the PML. Those who would maintain their independent status in the house are Murid Kaazim, Habibur Rehman Tanoli, Qalbe Hassan, Fazlullah, Javed Iqbal, Tarakai, Abdus Sattar Khan, Khalifa Abdul Qayum, Adnan Wazir, Malik Hayat Khan and Sardar Ali. However some of them have announced their support to the ANP and PPPP in the future government to be setup in the frontier province.
Four more MPs including two MNAs and two MPAs today called on PPP Co-Chairman Senator Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad and announced joining the PPP unconditionally.
Among those who joined the PPP today included MNAs Tariq Anis Chaudhry from NA-116, Narowal in Punjab and Mahboobullah Jan NA-23 Kohistan in Frontier province.
The two MPAs who joined the PPP included Athar Hasan Gorchani PP-248 Rajanpur in Punjab and Muhammad Aslam PF-62, Kohistan in the Frontierprovince.
The MPs joining the Party reposed complete confidence in the leadership of Senator Asif Zardari and said that they were joining the Party without any conditions.
The PPP Co-Chairman thanked the MPs and said that their joining the PPP would strengthen the Party and democratic forces in the Parliament to correct the constitutional imbalances that has robbed the Parliament of its powers.
Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam are constantly in contact with one another regarding formation of the government.
On Tuesday, Special Aide of Co-chairman of PPP Asif Ali Zardari met Secretary General of JUI-F, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri. They discussed different issues of mutual interests and formation of government.
Information Secretary of JUI-F Maulana Amjad told media that Muslim League (N) Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq, Maulana Ghafoor Haidri, Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani and Maulana Abdul Wasi have decided to continue contacts. He said US Political Secretary also called on Ghafoor Haidri and discussed political situation and results of the general election..