SWABI: Awami National Party Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has said that keeping in view the preparations and enthusiasm of the party workers the ANP would win the May 30 local government elections.

He was addressing party workers in Yar Hussain and Zaida city here on Saturday. Amal Wali Khan, ANP provincial general secretary and other leaders were in attendance.

The meetings were meant to boost the morale of the contesting candidates and workers in post-Haji Rehmanullah period, who remained the party president for 25 years, and passed away over a week ago.

Mr Hoti said that the result of the local body election would be critical because it would determine the party position for the next general elections. “This is the time for the workers to come forward and play their due role to strengthen the position of the contesting candidates,” he said.

The ANP leader said that the PTI-led provincial ruling coalition had failed to honour the pledges made with the people during the last general elections, and would face defeat in the local polls.

Mr Hoti said the PTI should refrain from taking credit for the projects launched by the previous ANP government.

A prominent ANP leader told this correspondent that in Swabi the ANP faced tough test from Awami Jamhoori Ittehad, who had swept the previous two general elections in the district.

“We want a result-oriented strategy to defeat the Tarakai group, and once we do that, the district will again be our stronghold,” said the ANP leader.

Meanwhile, ANP nominated Ameer Rehman, former MPA and son of late Haji Rehmanullah, as the district president of the party on Saturday.

In this connection, a meeting was held at the residence of the deceased leader chaired by Amal Wali Khan.

The participants unanimously supported Ameer Rehman as candidate for the slot of the district president.

On the occasion, Amal Khan said thanks to contributions of late Haji Rehmanullah, the party high command and district leadership had supported his son, Ameeer Rehman for the party president, as he was capable to handle the party affairs.

Mr Rehman said he would try his best to strengthen the party in the district with the support of party leaders and workers.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2015

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