SWABI, Aug 30: All the coalition partners in Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government have failed to fulfil commitments they had made with masses during May 11 general elections, said Awami National Party (ANP) leaders here on Friday during a meeting called to discuss the upcoming local government election.

They said that results of the recent by-elections had made it clear that people were frustrated with performance of the provincial government. Former MNA Rehmanullah chaired the meeting, which was also attended by other party leaders.

They said that the slogan of ‘change’ and other such promises made by the PTI had vanished in three months of its rule. They vowed to show their strength in coming local government (LG) elections.

Mr Rehmanullah said that the ANP had faced a defeat in May 11 general election, but the recent by-election proved that it was in the hearts of people. “We will stand with people of the province in their difficult times,” he said.

He said that people knew about the ANP’s struggle for provincial autonomy, Pakhtuns’ rights and development of democratic system.

Zar Shaid Khan, former provincial minister, said that the ANP leaders committed mistakes during their rule and failed to properly project their achievements. “Our workers became victim of the propaganda unleashed by the rival parties,” he claimed.

He said that the party had now planned to undertake result-oriented reforms in the party affairs, and the leadership had already kicked off work in this direction.

“We want to give a new look to the party setup for its bright future,” he said.

Former MPA Yasmeen Jaseem claimed that the ANP would show good result in the coming local government elections and they had started contacting the party activists to prepare themselves for the upcoming challenge.

“We are taking the local bodies election very seriously. It would be a third round since May 11 elections. We lost the first round on May 11, rejuvenated in the second round (by-election) and bracing to convincingly win the third round (LG polls),” she said.

Mukhtiar Khan, former advisor to the chief minister, said that ups and downs were part of the political game. “We are in the field and will never give up the contest. We know the art of politics,” he said.

Tamraiz Khan, former district general secretary, claimed that there were differences among the ruling coalition partners. He said that the Jamaat-i-Islami had already shown its frustration. “There is a great gap in priorities and policies of the ruling coalition partners,” he said.

Gul Zamin Shah said the coming local government election would be a big test for them.