PESHAWAR – The Awami National Party (ANP) Provincial President Mian Iftikhar Hussain has launched a scathing attack on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for its failure to announce new local government elections, labeling the delay a “shameful deviation from democratic norms.”
In a policy statement issued from the party headquarters, the ANP leader asserted that an empowered and functional local government system is the most critical requirement for the province. He accused the “incompetent” provincial administration of actively escaping its democratic responsibilities to avoid public
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Hussain noted that the PTI-led government has a history of undermining local representation to maintain centralized control.
“During the previous tenure, the ruling party mocked the system by depriving elected representatives of their constitutional funds and powers after facing a humiliating defeat at the polls,” Hussain remarked. He highlighted that when these representatives protested for their basic rights, the state responded with violence and crackdowns—a move he described as a blatant violation of democratic values.
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The ANP chief emphasized that without a strong local government, democracy cannot be stabilized, nor can public grievances be resolved sustainably. He officially directed all party workers and district organizations to mobilize at the grassroots level and prepare for the upcoming polls.
Hussain concluded by stating that the ANP remains the “true heir of this land,” vowing that the party will continue its struggle for peace, resources, and constitutional rights at every level. He urged unity among workers to carry the party’s message to every household, ensuring the public remains aware of their democratic entitlements despite the government’s “obstructionist tactics.”
