Peshawar gates lost beneath election paraphernalia
The historic gates of Peshawar, meticulously restored by the Awami National Party (ANP) government years ago, now bear little resemblance to their former grandeur. Covered from end to end in posters, banners, and election slogans, all 16 gates of the once walled city are now obscured by the campaign materials of various candidates and parties.
Local resident Nisar expressed dismay at the transformation, noting that the gates, along with the walls and marketplaces, have become unrecognizable under the deluge of panaflexes and banners.
Read: Removal of political banners from bridges, hoardings ordered
He decried the competitive fervor among election candidates and their supporters, who spare no expense in showcasing their political influence and financial prowess through an overwhelming display of campaign materials.
“This excessive display of banners and posters is not only visually distracting but also a wasteful expenditure,” Nisar observed. He urged the Election Commission of Pakistan to intervene and curb this practice, emphasizing that it unfairly disadvantages less affluent candidates who cannot match the extravagant displays of their wealthier counterparts.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th, 2024.