PESHAWAR: The Awami National Party has described the vote of confidence taken by Prime Minister Imran Khan from parliament as a drama to divert public attention from the defeat of the ruling party’s candidate Hafeez Sheikh in the Senate elections.

Addressing the party’s social media convention here on Monday, ANP provincial president Aimal Wali Khan referred to Imran Khan’s statement that 16 of his party’s lawmakers had sold their votes in the Senate polls, and said the PM was morally bound to step down after the revelation. He said Hafeez Sheikh’s defeat in the Senate election was tantamount to the PM’s defeat.

“After selling of votes by 16 PTI lawmakers in the Senate elections Imran Khan cannot claim majority in parliament,” he said. He argued that the PTI had polluted the country’s politics after coming into power.

The ANP leader said increasing prices of lifesaving drugs, natural gas, electricity, wheat flour, cooking oil and petroleum products had stressed the people out.

Aimal Wali pointed out that a tribal feud in Waziristan had caused loss of lives and property but the government was least bothered to stop the bloodshed. He asked his party office-bearers in the area to play their role in resolving the tribal dispute.

Aimal Wali also addressed another gathering of party workers at Bacha Khan Markaz wherein a former naib nazim of Shangla and other people announced joining the ANP.

He urged ANP workers to follow Bacha Khan philosophy of non-violence and work for welfare of Pakhtuns. He said his party would continue to raise voice for the rights of people.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2021