The tripartite alliance of opposition parties lived up to their threats of a strike and took to the streets across the province on Wednesday against alleged rigging and mismanagement in the local government elections.
In the provincial capital, the strike was seen by many as unsuccessful although some leading opposition members think otherwise.
Members of the alliance took to the street in various parts of the province and held rallies. Many of them also ordered traders to close down their shops and businesses.
The government made adequate security arrangments for protesters. Police officials in Peshawar patrolled the routes of the rally and no scuffles or incidents of violence were reported.
Success or failure?
Awami National Party Central General Secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the strike against alleged rigging and management of local government elections was conducted successfully across the province.
Speaking to journalists in the provincial capital on Wednesday after leading a protest in Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Mian Iftikhar, who is also president of the tripartite alliance, said the strike served as proof of people’s dissatisfaction over security arrangements made by the PTI-led government for LG elections.
“The closure of Qissa Khwani Bazaar showed the extent to which people have rejected the policies of the provincial government,” Mian Iftikhar said.
About Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan’s suggestion to hold re-elections in the province, the ANP leader maintained free and fair polls could not be held under the PTI-led government. “Had PTI taken the LG elections seriously, so many people would not have lost their lives in election-related violence,” he added.
Later in the day, Mian Iftikhar addressed a news conference at Bacha Khan Markaz and announced that another rally will be held in the provincial capital on June 16.
Meanwhile, leaders of the ruling party in K-P have urged workers to remain calm and avoid clashes with protesters. In a joint statement issued by PTI Deputy General Secretary and MPA Shaukat Yousafzai said every citizen has the democratic right to protest peacefully and the provincial government has no intention of creating hurdles in this regard.
Minister for Information Mushtaq Ghani termed the strike “a complete failure” and thanked those traders who did not participate in the protests.
Speaking to a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club, Ghani said the government is still willing to negotiate with opposition parties.
Sticking to their guns
Alliance members in Charsadda have vowed to resume protests against the alleged rigging in LG polls.
Addressing protesters during a rally at Farooq-e-Azam Square, ANP K-P General Secretary Aimal Wali Khan said the provincial government is directly involved in rigging.
The ANP leader said re-elections should be conducted in K-P after the government resigns. Khan also criticised Qaumi Watan Party and Jamaat-e-Islami for shifting their loyalties.
Haripur
Activists of the tripartite alliance also held protests in Haripur. However, businesses and transport ran as usual as traders and transporters did not adhere to the call for a strike. Leaders from JUI-F, PPP and ANP as well as some independent candidates took out a rally from Sheranwala Gate. They held a public meeting at Panian Chowk. During the meeting, JUI-F leader Pir Syed Alamzeb Shah flayed the provincial government for allegedly rigging the polls.
Swabi
A rally was held in Swabi by alliance members as well.
Speaking on the occasion, ANP K-P parliamentary leader Sardar Hussain Babak told protesters the government was still trying to manipulate the results of the polls.
Later, protesters visited the Swabi DC’s office and submitted an application demanding the announcement of results.
Other districts
A shutter down strike was observed in Pabbi area of Nowshera district. Addressing protesters, ANP leader Abbas Khan and JUI-F leader Jannat Gul said protests would continue until the provincial government resigned. Meanwhile, ANP and JUI-F activists protested against rigging in Bannu. The demonstration was led by ANP Bannu President Abdul Samad Khan, who demanded resignation of the provincial government.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 11th, 2015.
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