Drawing criticism: As some lash out, others prepare to occupy vacant NA-1 seat
Political parties flay Imran Khan’s decision.
Sanaullah, another PTI activist, said Imran promised to make Peshawar a model city. PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR:
Political parties on Wednesday lashed out at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan for his decision to relinquish the NA-1 Peshawar seat. They termed Khan’s move against the mandate of the people who placed their confidence in him.
Awami National Party (ANP) Senior Vice President Ghulam Ahmad Bilour expressed shock over Khan’s decision. “His decision of leaving the seat is not fair; the people posed confidence in his leadership, he should have served them,” he told Express News.
Claiming he was deliberately kept out of Parliament through a well thought out conspiracy, Bilour further added he would not be contesting from the constituency in the by-elections.
ANP’s Provincial General Secretary Arbab Tahir told The Express Tribune the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa gave his (Imran’s) party a heavy mandate. “His decision shows the PTI is a one-man show.”
Tahir claimed the PTI received votes by making the people emotional and now it was not respecting the people’s wishes and expectations. “The ANP’s central and provincial executive committee meetings will be convened to chalk out a line of action and being a democratic party we will take part in the by-election for NA-1,” added Tahir.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Secretary Information Israrullah Advocate termed Imran’s withdrawal a personal decision, adding the JI had not decided if it will be contesting by-elections or not. “We are only concentrating on the formation of the government and for that purpose we are in talks with the PTI leadership.”
The information secretary said both the parties have the same agenda: to rebuild war-affected infrastructure, create jobs for the youth and end corruption.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Secretary Information Jalil Jan claimed it was already known in the political circles that Imran would leave the seat. The JUI-F will hold meetings to decide its candidate for the by-election, he added.
Meanwhile, PTI activist Ghulam Murtaza expressed amazement at Imran’s decision. “We worked tirelessly for the party’s win, it is shocking to us. We do not accept this decision, it seems like a unilateral decision against the youth’s expectations,” he said.
Sanaullah, another PTI activist, said Imran promised to make Peshawar a model city. “We are very disappointed, our dreams are shattered. We do not trust any other candidate except Imran,” he stated.
Constitutionally, a candidate who wins multiple seats is bound to take oath for either a National Assembly or a provincial assembly seat while the rest of the seats automatically fall vacant. The Election Commission of Pakistan then conducts a by-election for these seats.
Imran’s historic NA-1 win came after he defeated veteran ANP leader Ghulam Ahmad Bilour.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 16th, 2013.
Political parties on Wednesday lashed out at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan for his decision to relinquish the NA-1 Peshawar seat. They termed Khan’s move against the mandate of the people who placed their confidence in him.
Awami National Party (ANP) Senior Vice President Ghulam Ahmad Bilour expressed shock over Khan’s decision. “His decision of leaving the seat is not fair; the people posed confidence in his leadership, he should have served them,” he told Express News.
Claiming he was deliberately kept out of Parliament through a well thought out conspiracy, Bilour further added he would not be contesting from the constituency in the by-elections.
ANP’s Provincial General Secretary Arbab Tahir told The Express Tribune the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa gave his (Imran’s) party a heavy mandate. “His decision shows the PTI is a one-man show.”
Tahir claimed the PTI received votes by making the people emotional and now it was not respecting the people’s wishes and expectations. “The ANP’s central and provincial executive committee meetings will be convened to chalk out a line of action and being a democratic party we will take part in the by-election for NA-1,” added Tahir.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Secretary Information Israrullah Advocate termed Imran’s withdrawal a personal decision, adding the JI had not decided if it will be contesting by-elections or not. “We are only concentrating on the formation of the government and for that purpose we are in talks with the PTI leadership.”
The information secretary said both the parties have the same agenda: to rebuild war-affected infrastructure, create jobs for the youth and end corruption.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Secretary Information Jalil Jan claimed it was already known in the political circles that Imran would leave the seat. The JUI-F will hold meetings to decide its candidate for the by-election, he added.
Meanwhile, PTI activist Ghulam Murtaza expressed amazement at Imran’s decision. “We worked tirelessly for the party’s win, it is shocking to us. We do not accept this decision, it seems like a unilateral decision against the youth’s expectations,” he said.
Sanaullah, another PTI activist, said Imran promised to make Peshawar a model city. “We are very disappointed, our dreams are shattered. We do not trust any other candidate except Imran,” he stated.
Constitutionally, a candidate who wins multiple seats is bound to take oath for either a National Assembly or a provincial assembly seat while the rest of the seats automatically fall vacant. The Election Commission of Pakistan then conducts a by-election for these seats.
Imran’s historic NA-1 win came after he defeated veteran ANP leader Ghulam Ahmad Bilour.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 16th, 2013.