President ANP Asfandyar Wali Khan has asked the PTI government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to step down with immediate effect and said that after confessing rigging in local bodies' polls PTI has no right to remain in power in the province. Briefing media after a meeting of the think-tank of the party here in Bilour House Wednesday, Asfandyar Wali said that thieves themselves had confessed stealing and holding of local bodies' polls under their supervision is out of question.
He said that after confessing rigging in local bodies' polls, the provincial government should step down with immediate effect to establish an interim set up, which would be followed by elections of provincial assembly and later local bodies' polls but that after amendment in the Local Government Elections Act. He said that Imran Khan is use to hold Nawaz Sharif and others responsible for rigging in Punjab, but in case of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is holding Election Commission responsible for all misdeeds.
To a question regarding those killed and injured during the mismanagement of polls, he held provincial government responsible for it, saying the maintenance of law and order is the responsibility of provincial government and not of the election commission. He said that the merciless torturing of a young girl in a polling station was against Pakhtuns culture and it had unveiled the face of the champions of change. Strongly condemning the arrest and registering of baseless cases against Mian Iftikhar Hussain, the ANP chief said that the PTI workers are greedy and made it clear on Imran Khan that action against Mian Iftikhar will be revenged. He said that the living escape of Mian Iftikhar is not less than any miracle as five to six thousands were present for attacking on only six persons.
He also thanked the father of the victim youth, which give testimony in favour of the innocence of Mian Iftikhar on both the day of incident and in court. However, he expressed concern over the matter the father of the deceased is being pressurised for changing his statement. Coming hard on KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, he said that those changing political loyalties for securing his own interest cannot have any sympathies with the people.
To another question, he said that ANP is in contact with PPP and other political parties for staging sit-ins and re-polling. However, he said any decision in this regard would be taken with mutual consultations. He said unequivocal terms that free and fair elections are not possible in the presence of the provincial government, whether it is under the supervision of Pakistan Army.