Rigging complaints: ANP rallies behind govt, decries PTI move

Criticises PTI for crying foul over pre-poll rigging in last year’s election.

ISLAMABAD: The Awami National Party (ANP) on Friday threw its weight behind the federal government ahead of anti-rigging protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, warning that it would not allow any political party to derail democracy in the country.

While addressing media outside the Parliament House, ANP Senator Zahid Khan said that his party will thwart the design of those elements who want to destroy the democratic set-up in the country.

Taking a swipe at the PTI chief, who vowed to launch a protest movement against the alleged rigging in last year’s general election, the ANP lawmaker said, instead of protesting Imran Khan should fulfill his promises made with the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

Criticising the provincial government, Senator Zahid said PTI needs to curb corruption and inflation, which has reached an all-time high, adding that bad governance had plagued the province.

Referring to his party’s colossal defeat in last year’s poll, Zahid said PTI should have raised its concerns when liberal political parties were targeted and forced to stay away from the process.

“PTI should have raised its concerns before the general elections, when pre-poll rigging had started in K-P,” Zahid said. “Now we will not support any move that destabilises the federal government,” he added.

The ANP lawmaker claimed that his party was left at the mercy of terrorists while PTI enjoyed their support during the election.

“Soon after the election, our leader Asfandyar Wali, had underlined the unprecedented rigging, but accepted the result for the continuation of democracy,” said Zahid.