Sacked minister denies supporting PML-N man in Nowshera by-poll

Published February 23, 2021
In this file photo,  Liaquat Khattak addresses a gathering. — Photo courtesy: Facebook
In this file photo, Liaquat Khattak addresses a gathering. — Photo courtesy: Facebook

NOWSHERA: Former provincial irrigation minister Liaqat Khattak on Monday rejected what he said the false propaganda continuing against him for last three days by the spokespersons of the provincial government, and categorically denied that he had violated the party discipline and supported the PML-N candidate in the Nowshera by-election.

Addressing a press conference at Wali Bagh here, he claimed that he had never demanded the ticket for his son, Ahad Khattak for PK-63, and said he was only interested in getting a ticket for his son to contest the Nowshera tehsil nazim election.

He alleged that some elements were interfering in his ministry’s affairs and transferring employees without his consent, which forced him to ask secretary irrigation to inform Chief Minister Mahmood Khan about it, but no response was received.

Liaqat Khattak says he never sought ticket for his son

Liaqat Khattak claimed that PTI workers, former nazims and councillors had voted for PML-N candidate Ikhtiar Wali as they felt ignored by the party.

He said he had respect for his elder brother and federal minister for defence Pervez Khattak, adding he had never committed corruption of a single penny in his political career.

He said Pervez Khattak and Prime Minister Imran Khan were honest persons and wanted to eradicate corruption from the country.

Speaking on the occasion, former Awami National Party leader Pervez Ahmed Khan said differences with party representatives compelled him to join the PTI.

It may be mentioned here that Liaqat Khattak addressed the presser at the residence of Pervez Ahmad.

GOVT POLICIES REJECTED: Former provincial president of Pakistan Peoples Party Rahimdad Khan has said the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government should amend the Constitution with two-thirds majority if it wanted to change the procedure of Senate election otherwise the proper procedure for the polls was enshrined in the Constitution.

Talking to mediapersons the other day, Mr Rahimdad said people had rejected the policies of PTI government in the recent by-election in the country.

He alleged that the government attempted to rig the by-elections, but people thwarted its plan.

He said that the opposition parties also defeated the ruling party in PK-63, Nowshera.

He said that the election results showed that people were annoyed with the government over its failed policies.

The PPP leader said the country was passing through a critical period and for the first time it had been facing constitutional, financial and administrative crises. He said Imran Khan and his team had miserably failed to deliver.

He claimed that the ‘selected’ government was a ‘guest’ till Senate election and after that it would be thrown out of power. Pir Mohammad Aslam, Fazal Maula Chattan, Munir Khattak, Saud Paracha and Saleem Khokhar were also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2021

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