The tripartite alliance of opposition parties lived up to their threats of a strike and took to the streets across the KPK province yesterday against alleged rigging and terrible mismanagement in the local government elections.
In the provincial capital, the strike was seen by many as unsuccessful although some leading opposition members think otherwise.
Members of the alliance took to the street in various parts of the province and held rallies. Many of them also ordered traders to close down their shops and businesses.
The government made adequate security arrangments for protesters. Police officials in Peshawar patrolled the routes of the rally and no scuffles or incidents of violence were reported.
Awami National Party Central General Secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the strike against alleged rigging and management of local government elections was conducted successfully across the province.
“The closure of Qissa Khwani Bazaar showed the extent to which people have rejected the policies of the provincial government,” Mian Iftikhar said.
About Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan’s suggestion to hold re-elections in the province, the ANP leader maintained free and fair polls could not be held under the PTI-led government. “Had PTI taken the LG elections seriously, so many people would not have lost their lives in election-related violence,” he added.
Later in the day, Mian Iftikhar addressed a news conference at Bacha Khan Markaz and announced that another rally will be held in the provincial capital on June 16.
Meanwhile, leaders of the ruling party in K-P have urged workers to remain calm and avoid clashes with protesters. In a joint statement issued by PTI Deputy General Secretary and MPA Shaukat Yousafzai said every citizen has the democratic right to protest peacefully and the provincial government has no intention of creating hurdles in this regard.
Minister for Information Mushtaq Ghani termed the strike “a complete failure” and thanked those traders who did not participate in the protests.
Speaking to a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club, Ghani said the government is still willing to negotiate with opposition parties.
