Hussain terms the attacks on liberal political parties as a form of pre-election rigging and an indication that the elections would not be impartial. PHOTO: NNI/FILE
PESHAWAR: The Awami National Party (ANP), forced to campaign in secret after repeatedly being targeted through gun and bomb attacks, burst at the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) raising question on its impartiality.
“The elections are going to be partial and its impartiality is a question mark,” said ANP central leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain in Peshawar on Saturday.
Addressing a condolence reference at Bacha Khan Markaz over the targeted killing of their National Assembly hopeful Sadiq Zaman Khattak in Karachi on Friday, Hussain said that by not providing security to ANP candidates, the caretaker government and the ECP has sided with the militants.
“Impartiality, what kind of ECP is this? An ANP worker cannot go to his constituency and those of rival parties are able to hold as many as six political meetings in a day?”
The ANP leader termed the attacks on liberal political parties as a form of pre-election rigging and an indication that the elections would not be impartial rather they would be partial.
Hussain, who is contesting from PK-12 Nowshera has himself been limited Skype based video address to his constituency members.
“We (ANP) have been tied for any play (electioneering) and others are allowed to openly campaign.”
Despite his allegations of the elections being less than impartial, Hussain quickly dispelled any notion of the ANP boycotting the upcoming elections.
“We are not going to boycott elections rather we are all ready to fight it out.”
HUssain also came down hard on the caretaker government claiming that the interims had continually neglected security for election candidates and ANP party workers were yet to be provided with state security.
“What would one do with that security provision when there will be no candidate alive to avail it.”
The ANP leader also refuted the ECP’s statement that their party workers had been provided with security.
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@ shahid khan.. i condemn the terrorist attacks on any political party.. but these bombings we very much there when anp ppp and mqm were enjoying government ranks during last 5 years.. Difference is that then it was the general public being targeted so it wasn't hurting these parties but now since they are being affected.. It has suddenly become a huge issue of victimization.. Was pti involved in bombings during last 5 years.. Give me a break sir!!!! U have passed a very unreasonable comment..It is very easy in pakistan to put blame on someone.. My advice, you should refrain from this unless you have some prove.. @ citizen khan.. I respect ur view point but why these parties did not eradicate terrorism during 5 years of their tenure.. Now they are bearing the consequences as the paki nation did during their 5 years.
Only heartless cruel souls would malign these parties who are the regular targets of TTP savages. Even on the backs of Taliban IK would not win much in the three smaller provinces. not too long ago he could not even enter Sindh, it is going to be the same after elections.
The moment I saw this news heading, I knew the PTI supporters would have swarmed to comment, and comment in a merciless manner. You have every good reason to be in a highly charged and sentimental state owing to the solo flight of electioneering in KP by Imran khan by virtue of the terrorists strategy. But at the same time you should also shw some poise and dignity in the face of the ruthless targetting of ANP. Simple question: if ANP was so worse in its performance and sure to lose in polls, why would the taliban target them? The Talban r cunningly wise in their strategy. They know ANP is the only politcal party which is challenging them physically and ideologically in kp. They also know that PTI, PMLN, JI, JUI are ideologically on their side. Just for a while keep ur tsunami at the corner of ur head, and think honestly, with open mind, about Mian iftikhar's statemnt. I am sure your a voice, feeble though, from your concience would tell u that this statement DOES makes sense, that the current daily human tragedies & taliban tactics r spoiling the beauty & credibility of PTI's performance, and that there should be clear line between politics and worth of humanity.
PTI is popular in Sind? Thats the biggest joke ever on the fact of PTI
@Ovais and Tyler Durden
Imagine you're in a sports competition and you're judged without even being allowed to play on the field. That is how MQM, ANP and PPP are feeling right now. Nawaz and Imran can hold huge rallies and rally their supporters while the liberal parties cannot even campaign.
@Ovais:
If PTI was even remotely as popular in Sindh, Balochistan or KPK Imran Khan wouldn't have to take aid of his militant wing aka Taliban to bomb his opponents.
@Tyler Durden: Do you have any respect for a man who lost his only son in terrorism? His son was aged 29 at the time of his death, whereas people like sit and talk the talk.
libral for what .....
@javed Iqbal randhawa Keep your hopes high and there's a reason when I say this... Over 7million bogus votes casted in previous elections have been cancelled by the Supreme Court.... So now voting turnout for last elections in 2008 was actually 30% and not 40%... PPP and pml n used to get elected based on these bogus votes in the past... Now if the voting turnout actually moves to 50% or so, majority of this chunk will be bagged my PTI... Plus introduction of tabdeli razakar program by PTI is doing miracles for them... My prediction... Pti will safely get at least 115 na seats insha Allah... Mark my words
Wish that I could agree with u on popularity of PTI. I still pray for success of Imran but it is not clean sweep or majority.
Skype based video address only? No wonder he's complaining. If you can't even get to campaign here, then what's the point of the whole election thing anyway.
The trouble mister sir is, how can you expect the interim Govt. and ECP to tackle terrorism in 10 days when you yourself couldn't do it in five years when you were in power, and spending your days horsetrading ministries with PPP instead of doing anything substantial.
Also we found out just how committed ANP is to liberal values when Mr. Bilour announced a bounty on the "innocence of muslims" filmmaker.
I am saddened by the terrorist attacks on ANP partly because its just not right, and against human values and partly also because you people are going to make this an excuse when you don't win any seats. I'd rather the public's will be done, and you people voted out of power like you deserve.
Yes, that's exactly the statement I expected from ANP... And such will come from other parties sooner or later.... With PTI gaining momentum all across the country.. Specially in KPK and Punjab this was bound to happen... The fear of loss is clearly reflected in this statement