BAJAUR: The local chapter of Awami National Party (ANP) here on Tuesday announced its 34-point election manifesto, focusing on improvement of jirga system and dividing Bajaur into two districts.

The manifesto was announced by ANP district president Gul Afzal Khan at a news conference in Bajaur Press Club. Flanked by ANP district general secretary Nisar Baz Khan, party’s candidate for NA-8 Maulana Khanzeb, nominee for PK-19 Malik Hikmatullah Khan Mamond, candidate for PK-21 Rasheed Khan and nominee for PK-22 Shah Naseer Khan, he said that the manifesto was approved local leaders of the party a day ago.

Mr Khan, who is also candidate for PK-20, said improving governance system and traditional jirga system; restoration of the tehsil status of Chamarkand region, reopening of border routes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, dividing Bajaur into two districts and getting three per cent share in National Finance Commission award for all tribal districts were main points of the election manifesto.

He said that compensating the people, whose shops and houses were destroyed in the war against terrorism, was also part of their agenda. He stated that establishment of a university and medical college and provision of natural gas to the entire district were included in their election manifesto.

Mr Khan said that his party would set a Category-D hospital in each tehsil and a basic health unit in every union council after coming to power. He said establishment of a vocational training centre for women in the district was also their priority.

To a question, he admitted that there were some differences among party workers over allocation of party tickets. However, he claimed that the issues were resolved amicably.

Mr Khan said that ANP would not make seat adjustment with any political party for the February 8 elections. He said that he himself and most of other leaders of the party were against seat adjustment with other parties.

He said that ANP would properly launch election campaign in the next two to three days by holding workers’ convention in Khar.

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2023