AMJAD ALI SHAH
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information, Shah Farman has categorically rejected the reports against provincial government regarding launch of development schemes ahead of by-poll in constituency NA-4.
The reports was surfaced that despite ban on any development projects in NA-4 constituency by the Election Commission of Pakistan due to by-poll, the PTI led provincial government had approved solarization of 440 mosques in the area.
Replying a question during a press conference at press club here on Thursday, Shah Farman clarified that the solarization of 440 mosques in provincial constituencies PK-10 and PK-11 of NA-4, is an ongoing development scheme under Annual Development Programme for fiscal year 2017-18, instead of new project.
However, he accused Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz for violating code of conduct issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan in NA-4 by-election. He asked the ECP to take it notice immediately.
The minister said the provincial government had provided to Wapda over Rs 60 million for installation of power transfers and pylons in provincial assembly constituency PK-10 in June 2016, but the authorities were using delaying tactics in this regard.
The by-election on NA-4 seat is scheduled on October 26, which was fallen vacant due to sudden demise of PTI Gulzar Khan. During the press conference, PML-N district president, Haji Sattar Khalil and vice president, Hekhmat Khan Khalil along with their friends and family members announced joining in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
The constituency has witnessed variations in the party’s positions. In 2013 general elections, PTI’s Gulzar Khan emerged as the new entry into the constituency politics who won the elections by gaining more than 55,000 votes followed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Nasir Khan Musazai, who secured more than 20,000 votes.
Political analysts consider alliance would be preferred by the parties including PTI and PML-N to win the constituency since all major political parties have almost the same vote bank.
Shah Farman who is also provincial spokesman to a question regarding contesting of Gulzar Khan’s son on PPP ticket in NA-4, would decrease PTI votes in by-poll, he simply responded it by asking wait for by-election results till October 26.
Shah Farman said that PTI wants a conduct of free, fair and transparent elections in the country. He welcomed the joining of PML-N stalwarts into PTI, and claimed that a large number of workers of different political parties, would join coming days in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as other parts of the country.
Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Hekhmat Khan Khalil, announced to withdraw in favour of PTI candidate for by-election in NA-4, Arbab Amir.
Haji Sattar Khalil said that he served in Pakistan Muslim League-N on various positions for last 20 years. But, he said the party had completely ignored the ideological workers, and left them on mercy of Amir Muqam, who was appointed acting provincial president in undemocratic manner.
