Blame game: Asfandyar says PTI stole ANP’s election mandate
Govt failed to provide compensation to ANP workers, says central general secretary
PESHAWAR:
Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan has accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of allegedly stealing its mandate for the general elections of 2013.
Speaking at a party meeting at the house of former agriculture minister Arbab Ayub Jan in Peshawar, he strongly criticised the politics of PTI chief Imran Khan and vowed that his party would uphold democratic principles.
According to the ANP chief, the country is plagued by a series of challenges and the PTI has not raised its voice on these matters. “Imran repeatedly maligns judges of the apex court,” he said. “However, he knocks on the doors of the same court if a problem is not resolved.”
Firm stance
Asfandyar also voiced his reservations against the construction of the Kalabagh Dam. “Pakistan and Kalabagh Dam can’t go together,” he said.
The ANP chief urged PML-Q leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Illahi to account for this before insisting on the construction of the dam.
Moreover, he threw his weight behind the 18th Amendment and lauded it as an attempt to provide autonomy to the provinces. “Doing away with the amendment would have a negative impact,” he added.
The waiting game
Speaking on the occasion, ANP Central General Secretary Iftikhar Hussain said the PTI government has failed to provide security to ANP leaders. Moreover, it has yet to announce compensation packages for ANP workers who have been killed by militancy in the province. “Some 26 party workers have been killed by militants,” said Hussain.
According to the general secretary, even the Sindh government has announced compensation packages for slain party workers. He added ANP would soon begin a door-to-door programme to mobilise the party.
The party’s provincial president Amir Haider Khan Hoti claimed their opponents are attempting to thwart ANP’s influence in the province. “They thought we would be eliminated after we lost the elections,” he said. “However, they have failed to wipe out the party from politics.”
According to Hoti, ANP leaders are planning on holding workers’ conventions in all districts of the province to strengthen the party’s influence.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 29th, 2014.
Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan has accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of allegedly stealing its mandate for the general elections of 2013.
Speaking at a party meeting at the house of former agriculture minister Arbab Ayub Jan in Peshawar, he strongly criticised the politics of PTI chief Imran Khan and vowed that his party would uphold democratic principles.
According to the ANP chief, the country is plagued by a series of challenges and the PTI has not raised its voice on these matters. “Imran repeatedly maligns judges of the apex court,” he said. “However, he knocks on the doors of the same court if a problem is not resolved.”
Firm stance
Asfandyar also voiced his reservations against the construction of the Kalabagh Dam. “Pakistan and Kalabagh Dam can’t go together,” he said.
The ANP chief urged PML-Q leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Illahi to account for this before insisting on the construction of the dam.
Moreover, he threw his weight behind the 18th Amendment and lauded it as an attempt to provide autonomy to the provinces. “Doing away with the amendment would have a negative impact,” he added.
The waiting game
Speaking on the occasion, ANP Central General Secretary Iftikhar Hussain said the PTI government has failed to provide security to ANP leaders. Moreover, it has yet to announce compensation packages for ANP workers who have been killed by militancy in the province. “Some 26 party workers have been killed by militants,” said Hussain.
According to the general secretary, even the Sindh government has announced compensation packages for slain party workers. He added ANP would soon begin a door-to-door programme to mobilise the party.
The party’s provincial president Amir Haider Khan Hoti claimed their opponents are attempting to thwart ANP’s influence in the province. “They thought we would be eliminated after we lost the elections,” he said. “However, they have failed to wipe out the party from politics.”
According to Hoti, ANP leaders are planning on holding workers’ conventions in all districts of the province to strengthen the party’s influence.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 29th, 2014.