ANP wants PTI govt to complete its tenure

Asfandyar Wali says all parties should unite to correct direction of the govt in a democratic way

PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) will not be a part of any move to dislodge the government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), ANP President Asfandyar Wali Khan said according to a statement issued on Monday.

“The government should complete its term and the rulers should not be allowed to become political martyrs,” he said speaking at a party conference held to honour the late president of ANP Riyad chapter Gul Zameen Syed.

Asfandyar said that instead of resorting to unconstitutional means, all political parties should join hands to correct the direction of the government in a democratic way.

Asfandyar paid tribute to the services rendered by Gul Zameen Syed and administered oath to newly elected party president for Saudi Arab Dr Muzammil Shah and his cabinet.

Sharing his views with overseas workers, the ANP president said, it was unfortunate that the country was on the verge of a catastrophe and a small mistake could lead to tragic circumstances.

He said that the security situation could not improve even after 40 years of conflict in Afghanistan which had direct implications on Pakistan, particularly K-P. “We failed to learn lessons from history. If we do not admit our mistake, how can we correct it? However, the rulers seem to be in a mood to repeat the mistakes of the past.”

The ANP supremo said the game played during the last general elections was clear before the entire nation. Through the rigged elections, a specific person was chosen and imposed upon 220 million people. The imposed prime minister has not been able to come out of the opposition mode and continues to chant old slogans pertaining to accountability which reflects nothing but political vendetta.

He lamented that people from corrupt mafia were made part of Tehreek-e-Insaf. He reiterated his reservations over the selected accountability process which targets only the members of the opposition.

Asfandyar took a jibe at the sister of prime minster who was found having assets beyond her means and proved the earnings from sale of sewing machines. He said Imran should share the get-rich-quick formula with the nation.

The institutions of accountability let Allema Khan off the hook by imposing fine only, Asfandyar said, demanding the authorities to launch a JIT investigation into the benami assets owned by Aleema Khan.

He said that people have been deprived of business and homes in the name of anti-encroachment operation, whereas PM Imran has been living in a palatial home built illegally on forest land. “A man who resides in a home built on illegal land is bringing unemployment to the poor masses in the name of encroachment,” he said.

Expressing surprise over the assets held by the premier, he said that there was no concept of claiming dowry money from wife but the captain sailing the ship for a welfare state like Medina has been able to get a castle in Bani Gala as a 'gift' from his ex-wife. The country is undergoing the darkest phase of history while our economy is on a verge of collapse. The government of Imran Khan has taken double the amount of debt taken by the former governments in only its first six months the burden of which is being directly borne by the people. The country does no longer have a middle class. The rich have become richer while the poor have become poorer. He termed a revolution indispensable if the poor and the middle class were united and lamented that the country was moving in that direction.

Three mini budgets announced within a span of one year have been given the name of relief packages while prices of electricity have been increased. The country cannot run just with catchy slogans. The lives of the poor have become miserable but the captain continues to claim U-turning as a sign of leadership. A man who takes U-turns is not capable of leading a country.

Asfandyar challenged that if those alleging him of holding properties in Dubai and Malaysia can prove their case, he will sell all his property and deposit half of the money in dam fund.

While commenting on the overall situation of Afghan­istan and the region, he said that the predications made by his elders for the past 40 years have started to prove true but it was unfortunate that he was facing a lot of accusations.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 12^th, 2019.