NOWSHERA: Rival Awami National Party and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf on Saturday organised public meetings here to show political strength in Nowshera district.

During public meetings in Hakimabad and Ziarat Kaka Sahib areas, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak claimed the government had almost accomplished PTI chief Imran Khan’s agenda to bring about a positive change in its departments, especially police, education and health ones.

He said unlike its predecessors, the PTI government had ensured good governance in the province.

“We have changed the old political tradition in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by ensuring the rule of law and merit, independence of institutions, and other sectoral reforms. All that has upset our political opponents, who are struggling to find reasons no criticise our government,” he said.

Meanwhile, former chief minister and ANP provincial president Ameer Haider Khan Hoti told a public meeting in Amangarh area that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had a testing time under the PTI rule.

“Punjab’s bureaucracy has brutally exploited the resources of Pakhtuns in the name of the PTI’s slogan of change,” he said.

Mr. Hoti alleged that all corruption records in the province were broken during the PTI government’s three years.

He said the provincial government was currently controlled by PTI chairman Imran Khan’s mansion in Bani Gala, Islamabad.

The ANP leader claimed his party would form the next KP government after sweeping general elections.

He urged party workers to ensure protection of the rights of Pakhtuns.

CM Pervez Khattak has been spending every Friday in Nowshera to have contact with the people in his home constituency, especially by holding public meetings.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan People’s Party is a house divided in the district with one major group led by former federal minister Tariq Khattak and the other by former provincial minister Liaquat Shabab.

It has yet to organise public meetings and has so far held meetings of workers only.

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2016