PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan claimed on Friday that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has not submitted his resignation from the National Assembly.

In an exclusive interview with DawnNews, Asfandyar said that Imran's resignation letter was not among the resignations submitted by the PTI to the speaker National Assembly.

Answering a question about ANP's support to the government in the recent political crisis, Asfandyar said that his party was supporting democracy, constitution and parliament rather than the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) led government.

In response to a question about allegations of electoral rigging on the ruling party, he said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should be regarded as a suspect and not as a convicted criminal. "You cannot punish a suspect as long as he is not proven guilty of a crime," he said.

The ANP leader further said that any efforts to bring a new constitution would only be perceived by nationalist elements from smaller provinces as a conspiracy to undo the 18th constitutional amendment.

He said that, despite his shortcomings, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari should be praised for completing his term and ensuring a smooth and peaceful transfer of power to the next elected government.