PESHAWAR: Awami National Party has accused the provincial government of planning to curtail powers of the elected local bodies’ representatives, saying the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf will be unable to win next phase of the local government polls.

Addressing the members of working committee and office-bearers of the party from Malakand and Hazara divisions at Bacha Khan Markaz here on Monday, ANP central senior vice president Ameer Haider Khan Hoti and provincial president Aimal Wali Khan said that defeat of PTI candidates in the Dec 19 local government election was a glaring proof of the failure of the rulers to serve people.

They government, they claimed, was not sincere to devolve powers to lower level through the local bodies. People were aware of the intentions of rulers, they added.

Party leaders say defeat in LG polls manifests failure of rulers

They urged the ANP workers to step up their efforts for strengthening of the party and success of its candidates in the next phase of local government elections. They said that frequent increase in the prices of daily use commodities made lives of people miserable therefore voters would take revenge from the ‘incompetent’ rulers in the next elections.

The speakers said that people had attached many expectations with ANP in the prevailing situation as government failed to fulfil its commitments about provision of jobs and free residential facilities.

Mr Hoti said that voters could hold true accountability of the people, who made their lives miserable due to inflation, shortage of natural gas and other essential facilities. He said that PTI during its eight years tenure in the province failed to raise forceful voice for release of its share in the national resources to initiate some developmental schemes.

Aimal Wali Khan said that the defeat of PTI in the local government elections forced the party to dissolve its organisations in the country that proved that its leaders had no courage to face people. He claimed that ANP would emerge major political party in the next phase of local government elections in the province.

The office-bearers of ANP from different districts and members of working committee also shared their views on the occasion and informed the participants of the meeting about the prevailing political situation in their respective areas.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2021