Diatribe about Feb 8 polls: LG reps ask Captain Safdar to tender apology

MANSEHRA: The chairmen of village and neighbourhood councils on Tuesday demanded the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) leader, Captain (retd) Mohammad Safdar, to tender an unconditional apology for his remarks about the ‘buying of votes’ in the February 8 general elections in the NA-15 constituency.

“The chairmen of village and neighbourhood councils did not receive bribes from the Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) candidate. Captain Safdar should apologise for his statement that we took money to compel people to vote against his father-in-law Nawaz Sharif,” Mohammad Sajjad Tanoli, chairman of the Pulrah Village Council, told a press conference.

Flanked by president of the Ittehad of Village and Neighbourhood councils chairmen, Malik Mumtaz and others, he said that PMLN supremo Nawaz Sharif lost the February 8 general election in NA-15 because of Captain Safdar’s policies.

“I can refute, under oath, the allegation that I received money from PTI’s provincial assembly candidate from Tanawal, Zahid Chanzeb,” Sajjad said.

He added that instead of making baseless accusations, Captain Safdar should address the reasons behind Nawaz Sharif’s defeat in the NA-15 constituency.

“Captain Safdar had the opportunities to execute health, education, and other development projects in Tanawal. However, the area remains deprived of such facilities because he failed to initiate a single scheme here,” Sajjad said. He added that he would take legal action against Captain Safdar for making unfounded allegations of kickbacks against him and other local government representatives.

“Don’t blame us for your father-in-law’s defeat. Instead, focus on addressing the issues faced by the people in an area where you and your brother elected consecutively MNAs for two terms, “ he went on to say.