CM says PTI to take action against violators in LG polls

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has decided to take action against its councillors for going against party line in the recently held local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Speaking at a press conference here on Wednesday, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak said that show-cause notices had been issued to those who violated party discipline and voted against PTI candidates.
He said action would also be taken against former PTI provincial president Senator Azam Swati, former advisor to chief minister Yaseen Khalil and District Nazim Abbottabad Sher Bahadur.
“After receiving their reply to show-cause notices, we will approach the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for getting such elements disqualified,” the chief minister said.
PTI provincial organiser Fazal Mohammad Khan, Minister for Information Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani, Minister for Education Mohammad Atif Khan, District Nazim Peshawar Arbab Mohammad Asim and others were also present on the occasion.
The chief minister said: “The PTI could only form local governments in nine of 23 districts in the province. We would have won more positions of district nazims if some of our councillors had not voted against the party candidates.”
Pervez Khattak said the party councillors who violated the Local Government Act would face action. He said their basic party membership would be cancelled and the ECP would be approached to get them disqualified.
The chief minister said Article 78 A of the Local Government Act clearly stated that the candidates who committed floor-crossing would lose their seats.
He said the party would also take action against the PTI leaders who formed groupings against party candidates.
The chief minister mentioned the names of Senator Azam Swati and MPA Yaseen Khalil, saying they would be asked to clarify their position over allegations of supporting the candidates of other parties.
He expressed the resolve of taking action against the violators even if PTI had to face a loss due to changes in results. He said explanation letters would be dispatched to all the violators and cases of those found involved in floor-crossing would be referred to ECP for disqualification.
To a question, he said the Qaumi Watan Party would soon become a part of the provincial government.
Pervez Khattak said the PTI district organisations had been allowed to form alliances with other parties at the local level.
He said there was no bar on the district organisations to issue tickets to the brothers and relatives of the ministers or MPAs of the PTI.
The chief minister maintained that PTI ticket was issued on merit to his brother Liaqat Khattak, who was elected as the district nazim of Nowshera.
Speaking on the occasion, PTI provincial organizer Fazal Mohammad Khan said 10 members were elected in Town-III Peshawar, but they didn’t take part in voting.
He said four PTI councillors didn’t vote in the Takht-i-Nusrati tehsil in Karak district. He said that in Charsadda too, three votes were not polled.
He said in Buner district, 11 PTI councillors didn’t come for voting and among them one contested election against the party candidate. Two women candidates also didn’t cast votes in Malakand district, he added.
Fazal Mohammad said in Abbottabad district the PTI had 11 members including three directly elected and the remaining elected on reserved seats but they didn’t vote for the party candidate.
He said action would be taken against the district nazim of Abbottabad belonging to PTI as he contested election against the party candidate.
Fazal Mohammad said the PTI leadership had received credible reports about violation of party rules by senior leaders, including Senator Azam Swati and MPA Yaseen Khalil.
He said both the leaders would be asked to clear their position and decision would be taken in view of their replies.