Swabi Qaumi Mahaz


Swabi Qaumi Mahaz was a regional political party in Swabi District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It was founded in 1994 by dissidents from the Awami National Party in Swabi by Dr. Muhammad Saleem Khan and others. Later, it was led by the family of Dr. Saleem Khan, particularly his son Babar Saleem. Over time, the party faced internal divisions, partial mergers, and eventual merger into the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf by March 2018.

History

The Swabi Qaumi Mahaz was founded in 1994 by former MPA Dr. Muhammad Saleem Khan along with other local leaders such as former forest minister Awwal Sher Khan, former MPAbdul Majid Khan and Asmatullah. This formation came about as a result of differences within the Awami National Party over ticket distribution and influence in Swabi.

Leadership

Saleem Khan

After the split, Dr. Salim Khan led the new group. He was later elected as MPA from PF-31 in the 2002 provincial elections under the banner of SQM.

Babar Saleem

After the death of Dr. Muhammad Saleem in 2009, his son Babar Saleem took over as the chairman of SQM. In the 2013 elections, Babar contested and won the election to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly through an alliance with Awami Jamhuri Ittehad Pakistan.

Merger

In March 2018, several SQM officials announced the merger of SQM with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
However, Babar Saleem publicly denied the move, saying that as chairman, no one else has the right to dissolve or absorb the party. Meanwhile, Babar Saleem hinted at joining the PML-N, complicating the internal dynamics.

Symbol

In September 2002, the Swabi Qaumi Mahaz formally applied to the Election Commission of Pakistan for an election symbol, following a Peshawar High Court ruling ordering its registration as a political party. Because the ECP had not approved SQM's application for its symbol in time, its leader, Dr. Muhammad Saleem Khan, contested the 2002 and 2008 provincial elections as an independent candidate.
Later, Babar Saleem contested and won the 2013 KP Assembly election from PK-31 under the banner of Awami Jamhuri Ittehad Pakistan, as part of an electoral alliance.