Playing of ethnicity card over and over to revive the lost vote bank has been favorite trick of the leaders of regional parties in an attempt to mislead people. However, this card has lost its utility and attraction among the masses. Addressing women convention at Bacha Khan Markaz in Peshawar, ANP Provincial President AimalWali alleged that the land of Pukhtuns was made a battle ground for war on global terrorism to deprive them of their resources.
The allegation is not correct when put to litmus test of transfer of 57 percent plus financial resources to the federating units under the 7th NFC Award. Moreover, ANP prominent leaders of the old guard used to claim in public meetings that passage and enforcement of 18th Amendment is the fulfillment of their long standing demand of “KhpalaKhawaeaKhpalIkhtiar”, total control over provincial resources.
People of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa had given their mandate to ANP in 2008 elections. But its leadership did not come to their expectations. Violation of merit in recruitments, posting and transfers and lack of transparency in financial matters was so rampant that it became talk of the town. Previous PTI provincial government partially restored merit and made efforts to maintain transparency up to some extent in financial matters. That is why people of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa broke their hard and fast tradition of not electing the ruling party for the second term and voter PTI to power again. Actions speak louder than words.
