PESHAWAR, Feb 9: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has constituted four committees to finalise election arrangements in the province and submit reports to the leadership.

The committee for southern zone will be headed by party’s provincial president Anwar Saifullah Khan; Malakand division by Senator Ahmed Hassan Khan; Peshawar division by Zahir Ali Shah; and Hazara division by Shamroz Khan.

PPP provincial president said this while speaking at a press conference after chairing a meeting of the party’s district and provincial office-bearers and elected representatives at his residence here on Saturday.

Mr Saifullah disclosed that a total of 500 candidates had so far submitted applications for PPP tickets to contest coming general election on different national and provincial assemblies’ seats in the province.

He reiterated that his party would not enter into alliance with any party, but would keep the option of seat-to-seat adjustment open in all districts.

About negotiations with other parties, he said that his party had already held negotiations with Qaumi Watan Party, JUI-F, JUI-S and Jamaat-i-Islami to finalise any possible seat adjustments.

Provincial senior minister Rahimdad Khan, taxation minister Liaquat Shabab,  party’s general secretary Hamayun Khan, provincial vice-president Azam Afridi and spokesperson MPA Nighat Orakzai were also present at the meeting.

Mr Saifullah said that details about the 500 candidates, who had applied for the party ticket, and related matters would be issued to media within a couple of days. He said that these applications would be presented to the federal parliamentary board for approval of the central leadership. He said that the provincial board would present three names for each of the national and provincial assembly constituencies, after which the final board would take a decision.

Recalling that his party had not formed government in the KP during last 15 years, Mr Saifullah observed that like any other party the PPP had its own problems. He claimed that their workers were in high spirit and would actively participate in the elections despite their grievances due to different reasons.

The party’s provincial president said that if PPP assumed power in the province as a result of coming election they would hold local bodies elections so as to reduce burden on members of provincial, national assemblies and Senate. He said that once the local bodies were strengthened the legislators would be able to focus on legislation for solving the country’s problems. He claimed they would also ensure good governance for the solution of problems being faced by masses.

Mr Khan said that the PPP’s numbers were less than those of ANP in 2008 elections and thus gave charge to its coalition partner to lead the province. He said though the PPP could have formed the governments in provinces, but keeping in view the numbers and democratic norms, his party’s co-chairperson Asif Zardari allowed the PML-N in Punjab and ANP in KP to form the respective government to strengthen democracy.

The PPP leader said that they wanted timely election, as postponement of general elections would not be in favour of the nation and country.