SWAT: Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-Parliamentarians Pervez Khattak on Friday claimed that his party would form the next government in the province after winning elections and would address the “wrong” policies of the previous rulers.

He said his party’s primary agenda revolved around peace, development, and prosperity.

Addressing a gathering of party workers in Odigram area here, Mr Khattak said political parties lacked a concrete programme for national development and people’s welfare and therefore, he formed a new party to steer the country to development.

He said as the chief minister, he initiated large-scale development projects in the province.

The PTI-P leader said his party was open to honest and patriotic politicians to bring about a tangible improvement in people’s life.

He welcomed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz district general secretary Syed Habib Ali Shah to the party.

PTI-P vice-chairman Mehmood Khan told participants that as the CM, he approved billions of rupees worth of development projects for Swat, work on which was still under way.

He said during his tenure as the CM, his administration undertook such an extensive range of development projects that there won’t be any need for more schools, water supply and roads in future.

Mr Khan said had his government not ended prematurely, all development projects executed by it would have been completed by now.

He claimed that his government’s record mega projects in Swat even surpassed the development work done during the times of the wali (ruler) of the formerly Swat state.

The speakers criticised PTI chairman Imran Khan and his party over “failure” to deliver on their promises and slogans, especially in Punjab province.

They said the “true faces” of all political parties had been exposed to the people, who understood that those parties wouldn’t resolve their issues.

The speakers said the 15 months long tenure of the Pakistan Democratic Movement government was detrimental to the country’s economic stability.

They urged people to reject corrupt politicians in the upcoming elections and vote for the well-wishers of the country.

The speakers criticised the caretaker government in the province over “record corruption.” Noted among participants were former provincial minister Mohibullah Khan, former woman MPA Nadia Sher Khan and former lawmaker Ziaullah Bangash.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2023