ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday lashed out at the federal government and former president Asif Ali Zardari for labeling Mian Iftikhar Hussain’s arrest in Nowshera as politically motivated.

Khan said the Khyber Pakthunkhwa police was not under political influence, unlike the police in Punjab and Sindh, adding that no one in the provincial government had ordered Mian Iftikhar’s arrest.

“Zardari sahab this is not the Sindh police taking action against Zulfiqar Mirza. We did not order the arrest nor can we order a repeal,” said Imran Khan.

Khan said police had taken action of its own accord, following the law. “Whatever their investigation concludes, we will accept that.”

In an apparent answer to all those who had been criticising the KP government for violence and lawlessness during local body elections, Khan said complete administrative and police powers had been transferred to the election commission.

Khan in turn criticised the commission for mismanaging the elections, which he said was a historic achievement in Pakistan.

“Never has an election of this scale been conducted in Pakistan. Both PML-N and PPP have led provincial governments six times each, but have yet to conduct local government elections.”

Khan said holding large-scale local body elections, such as the ones conducted in KP, was the key to devolution of power, adding that only local government elections can bring democracy to the country in its truest sense.

Khan said the election commission should have been prepared to hold elections on such a large scale.

The PTI chief said the KP government will conduct an inquiry into the mismanagement to ensure that next local government elections are conducted more efficiently.

He also invited all political opponents, who claim local body elections were marred by rigging, to move election tribunals with their grievances, adding that no PTI candidate will request stay orders in cases against them.

“We will help in conducting investigations and no PTI candidate will get stay orders so that inquiries do not span years.”

Federal govt slams KP decision to arrest Mian Iftikhar

Earlier today, the federal government strongly opposed the arrest of Awami National Party (ANP) central general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, terming it as political victimisation at the hands Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also expressed concern over the arrest and alleged "manhandling" of Mian Iftikhar Hussain in Pabbi last night.

The PM has sought a report from the Inspector General KP, Intelligence Bureau as well as other intelligence agencies about the incident. He directed that political personalities be treated with respect within the parameters of law.

In an official statement, Federal Information Minister Pervez Rashid said the arrest of Mian Iftikhar clearly indicates that KPK administration and police are under direct control of Imran Khan.

Pervez Rashid added that there have been large-scale irregularities in KP local bodies elections.

"There is no clause in Pakistan Penal Code which could not be applicable on the crimes committed by ministers in KP," alleged Rashid.

He said that the nation is awaiting a public apology from Imran Khan.

Zardari condemns arrest

Pakistan Peoples' Party co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari also criticised the arrest of Mian Iftikhar Hussain by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

"The arrest of political opponents like Liaquat Shabab of PPP and Mian Iftikhar of ANP only belies claims made by Imran Khan that there are no political prisoners in the province," said the former president in a statement.

He added that these arrests show a dictatorial mindset and intolerance to political dissent.

Zardari called for withdrawal of politically motivated cases against the two party members.

PPP chief warned the provincial chief minister Pervez Khattak not to be swayed by power and to bear in mind the consequences of political recklessness.

Mian Iftikhar Hussain was arrested on Sunday after the killing of a PTI activist in Pabbi area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Nowshera district.

A clash between activists of ANP and PTI had occurred outside near residence of Mian Iftikhar Hussain in Pabbi area after the Saturday night announcement of the area's results of the Local Government polls held on Saturday.

A PTI activist, identified as Habibullah, died of gunshot wounds suffered during the clash. A case was registered against the veteran ANP leader and his guards on various charges including murder and attempted murder over the complaint of the deceased's father.

Read: Six people killed in clashes during Khyber Pakhtunkhwa LG polls

The situation in the area turned tense after police arrested the former information minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

As police failed to control the situation additional contingents of security men, including Army personnel, were called in to diffuse the tension prevailing in the area.

Later during the day, the ANP leader was presented in court which remanded him in police custody for one day.

ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan talking to DawnNews said that jailing of its leaders and activists was not new to the party and the arrest of Mian Iftikhar was part of PTI's revenge tactics.

Mian Iftikhar Hussain: A profile

At least six people had died and dozens other wounded during scuffles among supporters of candidates at various polling stations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The violence claimed five lives in Charsadda alone whereas 55 people were wounded in the provincial capital city of Peshawar during the largest local government elections held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's history. The elections were marred with brawls, chaos, violence, mismanagement and a complicated balloting process.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police registered a total of 87 First Information reports (FIRs) and arrested 197 people for violence during local government polling in the province, according to a spokesperson of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police.

The spokesperson added that 35 Ak-47 rifles, 10 shotguns, 7 repeater guns, 46 handguns and 1,830 rounds were also recovered from the arrested persons.