Decision to support PTI rests with PTM core committee: Ali Wazir

ISLAMABAD: The newly elected Member National Assembly (MNA) from NA-50 South Waziristan Tribal district, Ali Wazir, has made it clear that he would support Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the elections for premiership only if the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement’s (PTM) core committee decided to do so. “PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen would remain my leader and his decisions would be final for me on all matters,” he said.

During an informal chat with journalists here on Monday, he said that he would abide by all decisions taken by PTM since he was a worker of the movement. He said ballot process in South Waziristan was concluded without any rigging on a massive scale, but he had reports of hurdles being created for his voters in exercising their right to franchise.

Wazir said the security arrangements for the election day were unprecedented and no untoward incidents took place in his native town. “The people and the region itself need peace while development activities are secondary for them.”

The erstwhile FATA in general and South Waziristan, in particular, faced unexplainable problems during the past two decades, but the trend should be reversed and proper focus should be given to restoring peace and order, he said.

Wazir also said that people of his area had reposed unprecedented confidence in him and elected him with a huge majority; hence he would leave no stone unturned to make sure he raises their voice at every forum.

To a question, Wazir said that efforts should be made to unite not only the tribal region’s lawmakers but the entire belt to ensure peace in the trouble-hit area.

He said that his struggle for ensuring the supremacy of law would continue and vowed the rehabilitation of displaced families whom, he said, had faced great hardships during the war against terrorism.

Wazir also said that people had made up their mind to beat the status quo through the power of vote, and so, despite using various tactics, nothing could work.

“People of the tribal districts should be given equal rights like other citizens of the country,” he added.

Wazir also said that the people of the tribal region had suffered a lot; hence special steps must be taken to restore peace and end the sense of deprivation among the people of tribal districts.