NOWSHERA/MARDAN: The Awami National Party on Friday welcomed the Peshawar High Court’s orders for the National Accountability Bureau to investigate the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit project claiming that massive corruption was committed by the last Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government in the initiative.

Addressing a public meeting in Nowshera Kalan here, ANP provincial president Ameer Haider Khan Hoti also demanded probe into the ‘serious financial irregularities’ in the PTI government’s Billion Tree Tsunami, Peshawar beautification and Malam Jabba projects, and the illegal use of government helicopter by PTI chief Imran Khan.

On the occasion, dozens of PTI activists and office-bearers announced the joining of the ANP along with families and friends.

Hoti alleges last govt committed massive corruption in five years

Mr Hoti criticised former chief minister Pervez Khattak for using abusive language against political opponents and said the people of Nowshera vote against the PTI leader in July 25 elections.

He said it was ironic that Mr Khattak had abused the party (PPP), which had given him political identity.

The ANP leader said the PTI would suffer a massive defeat in elections over bad governance in KP.

He declared the PTI government’s much-trumpeted health reforms a big failure and said former chief minister Pervez Khattak going to a Rawalpindi hospital after injuring himself in the province was enough to expose it.

Mr Hoti regretted that the last government didn’t build a quality hospital in its five-year tenure.

He said the ANP would continue fighting for the rights of Pakhtuns and would actively participate in the coming elections despite facing terrorist attacks.

PTI LOOTED KITTY: ANP provincial president Ameer Haider Hoti also alleged that the PTI government had plundered the provincial exchequer for five years.

Addressing corner meetings in Chak Hoti, Bagh-i-Ram and Industrial Estate areas in Mardan, Mr Hoti, who is also contesting election in NA-21 and PK-53 constituencies, said the PTI’s was the first government to be criticised by own ministers over massive corruption.

He said the coming provincial government would inherit huge financial challenges from its predecessor, PTI government, which had emptied exchequer by pursuing poor policies.

The ANP leader also accused the last government of ruining institutions and unnecessarily obtaining lots of foreign loans.

He claimed that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would reject the PTI over false promises of change and merit and would vote the ANP to power on July 25.

Meanwhile, scores of Sikhs, Christians and Hindus announced election support for ANP candidates in Mardan district.

They made the announcement during a function held at a local wedding hall, where Mr Hoti was the chief guest.

The ANP leader thanked non-Muslims for election support and said the party would protect their rights after forming next government in the province.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2018