‘Talks only solution to political crisis’

ANP’s Iftikhar Hussain says PM hasn’t consulted allies regarding COAS appointment

PESHAWAR:

The Awami National Party (ANP) has declared negotiations as the only solution to the current political problems in the country while clarifying that the prime minister did not consult with the allies regarding the appointment of the new army chief.

ANP Central General Secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain and Central Spokesman Zahid Khan, along with other party leaders, held a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, where they said that the situation in the country has reached such a level that every party has to explain itself.

They demanded a transparent investigation into the attack on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, adding that the former prime minister was brought up with so much “love” that he is not being handled anymore.

Imran was welcomed on the streets because inflation continued to rise, they added.

Imran is leading this country to a civil war, and he does not even care about martial law, they claimed.

They also claimed that Imran himself “disputed” his accident and the number of bullets could not be determined. The purpose of transfer to Shaukat Khanum Hospital was to obtain a report of his own liking, they added.

The ANP leaders said that talks are going on, and they advise Imran to act with patience so that the “real facts” can come out. Imran wants to appoint the army chief of his own free will, which is not his right or authority, and these people are preparing to make the new army chief controversial, they added.

“This game of audios and videos should end,” he said.

“The non-interference of the army in politics was our demand, which everyone accepts today, but Imran does not. He said that this is not a march but a good game,” he further said.

The ANP leader said that political people use political methods to deal with the situation and they can be negotiations.

The government gave Imran a free hand because it is a democratic right of all, he said, adding that Imran and company refused to negotiate.

“A solution can only be found through negotiation,” he further said.

Hussain said that they do not want to add fuel to the fire, but the prime minister did not consult with the allies on the appointment of the new army chief, and he will make the appointment under his authority.

“Democracy will not be derailed, they will become jurors, they will be weak like in the past,” he said.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 8^th, 2022.