Asfandyar Wali dissolves ANP units over election defeat

Chief of Awami National Party (ANP), Asfandyar Wali Khan, on Saturday announced dissolution of all party units over election defeat. 

Speaking at a news conference in Charsadda, Khan admitted that his party faced defeat in the May 11 general elections over poor performance of the ANP government.

He said that new elections will be held to elect central‚ provincial and district level party organizations.

He said new election of all party positions will be held under the supervision of committees in four provinces. Elections will be held through secret ballots, he said, asking the activists to contact him if they have any complaint about the process.

The process to elect new office-bearers will begin in October, Khan said, adding that he will be staying at Wali Bagh in Charsadda to response to workers’ complaints if there is any.

He said that the ANP was not allowed to run election campaign like other parties besides vigorous campaign against the party through electronic media. He claimed that millions of rupees were spent on the electronic media campaign against the ANP during the election campaign.

He said that party’s membership process will be completed by November this year while election process of the party will be completed by March 15 next year. The reorganization of ANP in light of the Fact Finding Committee’s recommendations will take place in 6 months.

He said that lack of proper contact between the leadership and the workers resulted in defeat of the party in the elections.

“Because of horrible security situation, we had limited interaction with our party members/workers,” the ANP chief said.

Khan also listed attacks on the ANP meetings, mismanagement of women voters & lack of development work by the provincial government.

“We went back to our workers and we are initiating ANP’s reforms as per the suggestions of our members everywhere,” Khan said.

He said ANP will emerge much more stronger after going through this extensive reforms and reorganization process.

“Party elections and all other organisational activities will take place strictly according to ANP’s constitution.”

“We do not believe in mere rhetoric. Resignations would not have been enough. We are pursuing an extensive reformative process,” Asfandyar Khan went on to say.

He said there will be a new membership drive on democratic lines after which party organisation from lower to higher level will be re-elected.

The fact-finding committee was appointed by the central executive committee to look into the factors responsible for the party’s electoral defeat in May 11 general elections, had presented its report to party president Asfandyar Wali Khan on Saturday. The committee chairman, Bashir Ahmad Khan Mattak, and its members, including Jamila Gilani and Sheikh Riaz, presented the report.

Talking to the committee members, the ANP president appreciated the hard work, seriousness and honesty of the committee in performing its work. By preparing a comprehensive report based on the opinions of hundreds of party workers the committee has done a great service to the cause of the party, he said.

Asfandhyar Wali  Khan also admired the contributions of the party workers who turned up before the committee and recorded their frank and critical opinions. Their evaluations, analysis and criticism express their concern and love for the party. The suggestions would go a long way to help the party in preparing itself for the future challenges.

The central president assured the fact-finding committee that after going through the report the party leadership would implement each and every recommendation. He said that the ANP had the unique distinction of being the only party to take the process of introspection to its logical conclusion. “We are determined to adhere to the democratic culture that we have inherited from Bacha Khan and Wali Khan,” he said.

The ANP president assured the committee that in accordance with its specific recommendations the party would make public concrete steps for implementation on September 1, after the completion of by-elections in the country.

He welcomed talks with the Pakistani Taliban and said ANP will support solution of the problem through dialogue.

On Karachi, he said that the problem could not be resolved unless the city is cleared of weapons.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=41447

Posted by Tahir Khan on Aug 31 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.