Mission of Imran was to oust Nawaz, not to curb corruption: Asfandyar

SWABI: The Awami National Party (ANP) president Asfandyar Wali Khan said on Sunday that the mission of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan was to remove Nawaz Sharif, not to eradicate corruption.

He urged the leaders of the political parties to shun their petty differences as these were undermining the country. The ANP president was addressing a gathering at Yar Hussain village to mark the first dearth anniversary of former MPA Shoaib Khan, who was shot dead by militants on July 18 last year.

Asfandyar said the ANP leadership would continue their work with complete determination and concentration to strengthen the democratic system in the country. “We are democratic people and know the importance of democracy,” he added.

The ANP chief said his party worked with determination to restore the Constitution to its original form. However, he added that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was against such efforts. “We wanted the Constitution restored to its original form, but Nawaz Sharif had opposed it at that time,” Asfandyar said in a reference to the Supreme Court’s verdict to disqualify Nawaz Sharif.

The ANP president said that articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution were misused and called for an amendment to restore it to its original form. However, in the same breath, he said that despite reservations they didn’t want to challenge the Supreme Court and had accepted its verdict in the Panama Papers case. “We don’t want a tussle among state institutions,” he said.

About the allegations of MNA Ayesha Gulalai, he said that if Imran Khan was innocent then he should prove it. “When Imran makes accusations against the leaders of other political parties, he says he is speaking the truth but when he is blamed, he accuses the PML-N of maligning him,” Asfandyar remarked.

He supported the struggle of tobacco growers and urged the companies to purchase all products from the growers. Asfandyar paid glowing tributes to late Shoaib Khan for his political struggle spanning over 45 years.  “Shoaib Khan didn’t change his loyalty and stood by the ANP leadership through thick and thin. We are proud of him,” Asfandyar said.