PESHAWAR: Senate deputy chairman Saleem Mandviwala on Wednesday rejected the allegations that Pakistan Peoples Party was involved in horse-trading in the Senate election and said that his party candidates had got votes as they were the only ray of hope to solve the chronic problems.

Talking to mediapersons at the residence of PPP provincial president Mohammad Humayun Khan during his first visit to Peshawar, Mr Mandviwala said that the success of PPP candidates in the Senate elections was a harbinger of the party’s victory in the upcoming general elections in the country.

He hoped that PPP would also form governments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and centre, adding that work for strengthening of the party was already in progress. He thanked the PPP provincial leadership for inviting him to Peshawar and said it was his maiden visit after the Senate election.

He said that he won the Senate election due to close coordination between PPP and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf which would help resolve the longstanding problems being faced by the common people. He also rejected the allegations of PML-N leadership about Senate elections.

Mr Mandviwala said that the credit went to PPP which had always made efforts for the rights of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, but the reforms bill was delayed due to lack of consensus among the relevant stakeholders. He said that the issues would be resolved with passage of time.

The Senate deputy chairman appreciated the chief justice of Pakistan for taking keen interest in resolution of different issues of public importance. He rejected reports about changes in the 18th Amendment and said it had ensured autonomy of the small federating units.

Meanwhile, Mr Mandviwala during his one-day visit was given a reception by the PPP leadership at Dalazak Road where he also addressed the party workers. Leaders, including Humayun Khan and MPA Ziaullah Khan, also spoke on the occasion. The event was attended by provincial and district office-bearers.

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2018