The Awami National Party (ANP) central leader and chairman of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Water and Power Zahid Khan said on Friday that the sit-in of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Islamabad on May 11 may prove detrimental for democracy but his party will not allow anyone to derail democracy.
Addressing a press conference at the Parliament House, Khan said that it was the responsibility of Imran Khan to speak against ‘rigging’ when the ANP was stopped from campaigning during the May 11 polls last year.
The ANP leader alleged that PTI’s Bashir Khan was winning the NA-34 Dir seat in general elections but Jamaat-e-Islami (JI)’s Sahibzada Tariqullah won that election by rigging. He further alleged that Bashir Khan was winning his case against Sahibzada Tariqullah but Imran Khan forced him to take back his case. He alleged that JI always wins in Upper and Lower Dir through rigging.
Senator Zahid Khan lamented that Hakimullah Mehsud and not Justice (r) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim was the ‘real’ chief election commissioner during the general polls.
To a question, he said the JI by giving a suggestion of direct talks between the army and the Taliban has tried to tarnish the character of democracy. He said everyone knows who created the PTI. He said the PTI can only stage sit-ins while sitting on the shoulders of ‘someone’.
The ANP leader alleged that there was rampant corruption in KPK. He said a provincial minister and an adviser have been dismissed over corruption.
To another question, Zahid Khan said KPK produces more electricity while power rates have been increased for the province by 7-8 rupees per unit.