Sunday, February 1, 2009

Hoti quits cabinet, says ANP betrayed Pakhtuns



ISLAMABAD: Minister for Narcotics Control Nawabzada Khawaja Mohammad Khan Hoti alias Toti Khan on Sunday announced to quit the cabinet in protest over the Awami National Party's (ANP) failure to honour its pledges made with the masses and leaving the people at the mercy of terrorists.
Addressing a packed press conference here, Khawaja Hoti said that ANP is responsible for the bloodshed of Pahktuns.
Hoti also complained that the problems of his constituency were not being taken into consideration, adding that even the provincial government did not take him into confidence in any matter of the province.
But Hoti said the decision of resignation was made in protest over poor law and order situation and rampant corruption in NWFP.
"I quit cabinet due to military operation in Swat, Hangu and FATA," he said, adding "Awami National Party has lost its control over the province and the masses are left at the mercy of terrorists."
Reacting to Hoti's allegations, ANP's central spokesperson Zahid Khan alleged that Khawaja Hoti had crossed the party lines so he should also give up the seat in the National Assembly.
Talking to media persons the ANP spokesman said: "We have the option to go to election commission if Hoti does not quit the National Assembly seat."
The spokesman said ANP was a disciplined party and has sufficient rules and regulations to deal with such cases of violation of party discipline.
He said the resigned minister was a member of party's all vital decision-making bodies. He never raised his concerns in party meetings.
Hoti has not yet conveyed the party about his resignation decision - verbally or in writing, Zahid said.
However Hoti denied the charges framed against him and said he never violated party norms and raised his voice against decisions in party he considered incorrect.
Hoti alleged that some elements of the party were hatching conspiracies against him in his constituency.
"False allegations are being levelled against me," he said.
"I am ready to quit National Assembly if someone proves allegations against me", he challenged.
that the problems of his constituency were also not being taken into consideration.
To a question he said: "I asked party chief Asfandyar Wali several times to take notice of the conspiracies against me but to no avail."
Reply to a question, Hoti said although his son Omar Farooq has joined PML-N, however "I can not even think to leave ANP."
"We failed to fulfil pledges which we made with the masses during elections campaign. "I would continue to raise voices for the people of my constituency in the National Assembly", he concluded.

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