LOWER DIR: Awami National Party central spokesman Zahid Khan has said that his party would launch an agitation movement if any kind of tax is imposed in Malakand division.

Talking to a group of journalists at his residence in Odigram here on Thursday, he said that ANP was not in the favour of disqualifying any politician for taking part in elections.

He said that Malakand division was a tax-free zone and the caretaker government lacked the mandate to impose taxes. Rejecting the preliminary delimitation of constituencies, he said that it was a joke with the voters.

Mr Khan said that ANP successfully completed the process of awarding tickets to its candidates. He said that he was grateful to the party chief for awarding him a ticket for National Assembly from Lower Dir.

He said that he would soon start election campaign in the area. He said that ANP would never tolerate setting up a temporary office of excise and taxation department in Malakand. He said that government should initiate some mega development projects in Malakand before imposing taxes. The ANP leader said that it was the sole responsibility of Election Commission of Pakistan to ensure free, fair and transparent polls. He said that ECP should provide level playing field to all parties and individuals. About the May 9 riots, he said that people involved in vandalism and attacking state properties should be punished accordingly.

PML-N: Several political workers announced to join Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz at a function in Darbar Badwan here on Thursday.

PML-N provincial vice president Barrister Attaullah Khan, who was chief guest on the occasion, said that his party would form next government not only at the centre but in provinces too. Engineer Faizullah Khan also addressed the function.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2023