SWABI: Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said on Saturday that barring those involved in the May 9 riots, all other leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf should be allowed to contest the coming elections.

Addressing a workers’ convention here, he said: “Holding free, fair and transparent election is vital to steer the country out of the prevailing crises and ensure people’s welfare and prosperity.”

Mr Sherpao said the coming election was a test case for the Election Commission of Pakistan, which should provide a level playing field to all the political parties.

“We are against rigging and selection and advocate for transparent voting,” he said, adding his party wanted the holding of free, fair and transparent election so that nobody could raise objections about the electoral process afterwards. He insisted the 2018 general election was rigged to bring Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf into power.

Demands severe punishments for May 9 rioters

He said former prime minister Imran Khan ruined the economy as he lacked the expertise and competence to govern the country.

Mr Sherpao said Imran Khan was removed from power through the constitutional method of no-confidence motion. “Imran Khan conspired to ignite unrest in the country after his ouster, and harmed the country’s integrity at national and international levels,” he remarked.

The seasoned politician said the PTI leader committed a blunder by getting the provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa dissolved and making baseless allegations against the state institutions.

He said Imran Khan was responsible for the skyrocketing inflation being faced by the poor people today. He said a fair election should be conducted so that the next elected government could take steps to revive the economy and provide relief to people.

He said his party would continue to strive for getting the rights of KP, which was rich in mineral resources. He said the provinces should be given control over their resources to help strengthen the federation. Aftab Sherpao said PTI ruled KP for nine straight years, but left the province in dire financial straits.

He said the cash-strapped KP now did not have funds to pay salaries to the government employees.

He said though KP produced cheap hydel electricity, its residents were forced to pay inflated power bills. He expressed the resolve that the QWP would spare no effort to work for the wellbeing of Pakhtuns after coming to power.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2023