Haider Hoti opposes delay in polls

MARDAN: Awami National Party (ANP) vice-president Amir Haider Hoti on Tuesday opposed Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s demand to postpone the general elections for the time being.

“The elections have already been delayed. Further delay will multiply the problems for the country,” he said while addressing a public meeting at the residence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) local leader and ex-union council nazim Iqtidar Khan. Iqtidar Khan along with his family and friends announced to quit the PTI and join the ANP. Haider Hoti who is contesting election on NA-22 Mardan- 1 and PK-58 said shots were fired at the vehicle of Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Later, talking to the media, he demanded postponement of the election. He said he respected the Maulana but the elections which were slated for February 8 had already been delayed. The ANP leader said this election was supposed to be held earlier, but it was not. Later, February 8 was fixed as the date after the Supreme Court played its role.

ANP candidate for NA-23 Mardan -3 and PK-58 Ahmed Khan Bahadur and others also addressed the public meeting.