LOWER DIR/MARDAN: Awami National Party (ANP) central spokesman and former senator Zahid Khan has said that he has not yet decided to join any other party despite the he has differences with his party.

He was addressing party workers from Timergara and Balambat tehsil in Odigram on Sunday. His supporters from both the tehsils said that they would follow him after taking any decision about joining a party.

The meeting discussed weaknesses of the party and disinterest of workers during the Feb 8 general elections. Suggestions were sought from the participants.

Zahid Khan said that he had differences with the party for the past several months but he had not decided to quit the party. He said that he would decide about his future after due consultation with party workers. He said that personal interests were dominant instead of national interests in the present day politics.

He said that the alliance of opposition parties was unnatural and it would not bear fruits. He said that major parties violated Constitution in the past. He said that he had never compromised on public services and would never leave the people of Dir alone. He vowed to continue serving people and working for the development of the area.

Party’s general secretary in Mardan resigns from basic membership

Some insiders told this scribe that Zahid Khan had made a mind to join another political party for which he was preparing ground.

Also, differences surfaced in Mardan chapter of ANP as its tehsil general secretary resigned from both his post and basic membership of the party on Sunday.

Addressing a news conference at Mardan Press Club, ANP Mardan tehsil general secretary Qaiser Ali Durrani announced parting ways with the party after developing differences with local leadership.

Accompanied with a large number of workers, he alleged that ANP was no more a political party. He said that he had been affiliated with the party for the last 15 years and worked hard to promote the philosophy of Bacha Khan.

Mr Durrani announced to launch a new movement ‘Abdali Qaumi Ittehad’. He said that ANP was divided in several groups in the district. He added that the party leadership did not bother to take any appropriate and effective step to remove differences as well as reorganise the party.

He said that he and several others conveyed their reservations to party leadership but to no avail. He said that the party leadership showed weakness and lost its power of decision. He said internal differences caused defeat of ANP in the last general elections.

However, Mr Durrani lauded the role of Ameer Haider Khan Hoti, saying he initiated several mega projects in Mardan as a chief minister. He added that the residents of the district would never forget his services.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2024