Reaffirming Awami National Party’s (ANP) faith in democracy and supremacy of Constitution, former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chief minister Amir Khan Hoti said he would support the new government in the province.
“We are against disruption of the democratic process and recognise the mandate given to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) by the people of this province,” Hoti said while addressing gathering of Awami National Party.
Thanking ANP’s former MPAs, office bearers and stalwarts for extending support during his government, Hoti said, “Whatever objections and reservations people might have, I believe that ANP made a valuable contribution in progress and prosperity of the province.”
He listed out some achievements of the ANP government which included establishment of eight universities, colleges, construction of roads and preparing a strategy for extraction of natural resources.
Hoti said that ANP believed in political force and in accordance with its political philosophy, it believed in continuation of struggle.
He urged ANP stalwarts and leaders to forge unity amongst their ranks, which was essential for pulling the Pashtuns out of their existing crises, he said.
Referring to the party’s position in 2013 general elections, Hoti said, “ANP’s decision of contesting polls amidst serious threats to lives of its leaders, office bearers and candidates should be appreciated.”
He said that almost all attacks were aimed at blocking ANP from contesting but party leaders, candidates and workers turned a deaf ear to such threats.
Commenting PTI’s victory in KP, Hoti said it was the decision of the masses and he would accept it.
However, he urged the Pashtuns to question why the PTI had failed to secure votes in other provinces. At the same time, he said that PTI should be given a fair chance to run their government in the province smoothly.
