The Awami National Party (ANP) has once again demanded from the election commission that by-elections should be held on time, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.

In a statement, ANP leader Aimal Wali Khan said: “It has always been the effort of the ANP that the October 16 election should be held on time.”

He added that the ANP was fully prepared for the by-elections and all arrangements were complete. “After the by-elections at the appointed time, this mess will be eradicated from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at least.”

He stated that Punjab and Sindh could not hold by-elections due to flood situation, adding that conditions were very favourable for holding elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should ensure the holding of by-elections at the appointed time. The constituencies and the people here are deprived of their representation in the Parliament,” he pointed out.

“The coalition government and other institutions have been asked repeatedly not to make defence institutions part of the electoral process. The defamation of the defence institutions, for being part of the electoral process, should be stopped,” he emphasised.

He also stated that the ANP had supported the coalition government for the survival of Pakistan. “We are still supporting the government to deal with economic challenges and will continue to do so,” he vowed.

“If someone thinks that we will side with the architects of instability, this is his misconception,” he stated.

Reporter: Usman Khan