PESHAWAR: Awami National Party provincial president Aimal Wali Khan has urged the people to reject Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s slogan of ‘change’ and vote for candidates of his party in the upcoming local government elections to take practical steps for revival of past glory of Peshawar district.

He was addressing a public meeting at Wazir Bagh here on Sunday. Party’s provincial spokesperson Samar Haroon Bilour, Haji Sher Rehman and Abidullah Abid also spoke on the occasion.

According to a statement, senior party leaders, including Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, Syed Aaqil Shah, Senator Haji Hidayatullah Khan and Yaseen Khalil, were also present at the public meeting.

Aimal Wali said that ANP was an ideological party which had always fought against capitalism. He said the people of Peshawar would prefer the ANP’s ideological candidates to the wealthy nominees of the ruling party.

He alleged that public funds were being spent on attracting voters. He said that initiation of development schemes for changing public opinion was of no use as the people were no longer ready to tolerate the incompetent rulers.

Referring to the prices of essential commodities and unemployment, the ANP provincial chief said that people were unable to afford routine expenditures of kitchen and education of their children.

Aimal Wali said that PTI had not nominated its candidates on majority of the seats mainly due to the fear of public reaction. He alleged that the PTI leaders were violating the poll code of conduct and urged the Election Commission of Pakistan to take action against the relevant ministers.

He said that the ECP should ensure holding of free, fair and transparent local government elections.

He urged the people to take active part in the election process to ensure success of his party’s candidates.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2021