MINGORA: Awami National Party’s senior leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain said on Saturday that Prime Minister Imran Khan had taken 100 U-turns in the first 100 days of his government and did nothing for the country’s betterment during this period.

He was addressing a press conference in Swat Press Club along with party’s provincial vice-president Ayub Khan Asharey and Swat district president Sher Shah Khan. He mocked the PTI-led federal government and termed it non-professional.

“The present government came into power through rigging and Imran Khan is not an elected, but a selected prime minister. This is why we do not accept him as a real prime minister,” he said, adding that the selected prime minister and his team lacked capability to run government.

Mr Hussain said that in its first 100 days the government only increased prices of the daily use commodities which affected the poor and marginalised citizens.

Mian Iftikhar alleges PM using NAB for personal gains

“Both the internal and external policies of the government are a complete failure and due to Imran Khan’s lack of seriousness our relationship with our neighbouring countries became volatile,” he alleged and added that in any peace talks for Afghanistan the government of that country must be included.

The ANP leader said that due to lack of professionalism and capabilities of the PTI-led government dollar touched a record high against rupee.

He alleged that Imran Khan used NAB for his personal gains and ironically the bureau had observed silence over the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit project which had become a constant trouble for the people.

However, he appreciated the opening of Kartarpur corridor and said that Afghan border should also be opened in the similar way.

About recent remarks of the prime minister in response to US President Donald Trump’s letter of holding dialogue with Afghan Taliban to bring an end to Afghan war, he said that Imran Khan’s reply meant that Pakistan confessed that it used to follow US dictation in the past.

“About 40 years ago Bacha Khan and Abdul Wali Khan had repeatedly said that Pakistan should not take part in others’ wars and conflicts, but their suggestions were not heard.

Today, Pakistan realised its mistake and accepted the suggestions of Bacha Khan and Wali Khan,” he said. He claimed that Imran Khan was not capable to run the government and he had realised his weakness.

“This is why he is now talking about the possibility of midterm elections in the country,” he said.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2018