PESHAWAR: The Awami National Party has urged the Election Commission of Pakistan to ensure effective implementation of its code of conduct in the upcoming local government elections to stop ‘misuse’ of power by the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leaders.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, ANP provincial president Aimal Wali Khan said the ministers were announcing development schemes in different districts to muster people’s support. He said the election commission should take action against both the provincial and federal governments for distributing development and Zakat funds among people for political gains.

Mr Aimal Wali said it was ECP’s duty to ensure fair, transparent and impartial conduct of elections by taking legal action against all those violating the election code of conduct.

The ANP provincial chief also condemned the targeted attacks in different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said a police official was killed in Charsadda and religious personality in Bajaur but the killers were yet to be arrested. He also referred to the poor law and order situation in North Waziristan, and said the government should take appropriate measures for protecting lives and properties of people.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2021