Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan lambasted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairperson Imran Khan for blocking roads and paralysing cities across the country in the name of ‘change’.
While addressing a workers’ convention at the Mardan railway ground on Sunday, Asfandyar said Imran was better off as a cricket captain than a politician. Asfandyar called Imran Khan “foul-mouthed” and said he will be remembered for introducing the culture of abuse in politics. “First he said he won’t block the roads then he decides to do the opposite,” said Asfandyar.
Several party leaders, including general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain, former provincial president Afrasiyab Khattak, Sardar Hussain Babak and Bushra Gohar, were present on the occasion.
“We have always abided by Bacha Khan’s principles of ideological politics. It is a shame to see vulgar language being used in political gatherings by mainstream leaders on live television,” he said.
Talking points
Talking about the stalemate between Islamabad and Imran, the ANP chief said: “Dialogue will only bear fruit when PTI and the central government both step down from their positions and commit to compromising some of their demands in the interest of the country.”
Asfandyar said the Pukhtuns voted for Imran Khan’s slogan of change without questioning his motives and “he has disappointed them”. He added that if the killing of ANP workers doesn’t stop, the party will be forced to fight back and avenge the deaths.
Hoti lashes out
Provincial president Amir Haider Hoti flayed the provincial government for its policies.
“We constructed nine universities, three hospitals for children and reassimilated 2.5 million IDPs in Malakand. While IDPs suffer in camps, PTI has not opened a single dispensary or primary school,” claimed Hoti.
He said the ANP is being restructured and a membership campaign is in place. He added intra-party polls are on the cards and ANP will soon prove all conjectures wrong. “ANP cannot be undermined,” said Hoti, adding the party will soon hold workers’ conventions in all districts and strengthen its influence.
Hoti blamed Imran and Nawaz Sharif for vying for the throne of Punjab as the entire country suffers.
“The youth lured by PTI through false slogans are now chanting ‘Go Imran Go’ in the province,” he added. “If given a chance again, ANP will develop Mardan even more,” speaking of his native town.
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