PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) has criticised Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over calls for imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stating that principled politics was more important than any majority allegedly secured through Form-47.

According to a statement issued here on Thursday, the ANP central President senator Aimal Wali Khan in a post on social media platform X, said the ANP’s political strength was rooted in its longstanding struggle for justice, constitutional rights and federalism.

He alleged that, unlike the PML-N, the ANP had never sought power through a “fake mandate”.

Referring to the PML-N’s alleged reliance on Form-47, he said a party that had come to power on the basis of what he described as a “Form-47 mandate” from the Punjab had no right to interfere in the affairs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“Whether we have seats or not, we will continue to speak the truth. Our ideology and principles are not for sale,” he said.

Mr Aimal further alleged that those who remained in power despite what he described as rejection in the elections should “at least show some shame and modesty”.

His remarks came amid renewed political debate over the possibility of imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2026