PESHAWAR: Ameer Haider Khan Hoti, the Central Senior Vice President of the Awami National Party (ANP), has expressed concerns about the “unprecedented uncertainty” prevailing in Pakistan ahead of the February 8 elections.
He remarked that the current situation, as perceived by his party, is unlike anything seen before. These comments echo the sentiments of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who recently expressed doubts about the suitability of the country’s security situation for holding elections.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman survived an attack on his convoy in Dera Ismail Khan on December 31. He has consistently called on the interim government and the Election Commission to ensure law and order for fair elections.
Hoti mentioned that the ANP would decide on forming alliances with political parties for the general elections by January 13.
Responding to a question, he stated that the ANP could consider an alliance with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) if democracy was the focal point of the agenda.
However, he emphasized that any alliance with the PTI should not be based on the “May 9 agenda,” referring to violent incidents that occurred in 2023 following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan.
Hoti criticized the PTI’s consistent demand for a level playing field, arguing that the PTI had received favorable treatment in the 2013 and 2018 elections.
He also expressed the view that convicts and accused individuals should not be allowed to participate in elections.
Hoti predicted the formation of coalition governments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and at the center, suggesting that no single party would secure a majority in these elections.
