ISLAMABAD: Putting an end to rumours of a possible electoral alliance, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry said on Monday that those creating the impression that the PTI and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) would forge an alliance ahead of the election were mistaken.

“We have clarified several times that the PTI will contest the elections as a single party,” he said at a news conference, adding that there were no plans to enter into an alliance with any political party.

The PTI spokesperson criticised former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, saying it was unfortunate that he had only responded to 55-odd out of the 128 questions on the questionnaire given to him by the accountability judge.

“Mr Sharif has said that the Avenfield properties do not belong to him so he cannot reply to questions regarding that property. He has said the property belongs to his sons Hassan and Hussain, but the court cannot ask them (his sons) questions because they are British nationals and Pakistani law does not apply to them,” he said.

Fawad mocks Nawaz over former PM’s replies to questions asked by accountability court

Mr Chaudhry added: “It is strange that Mr Sharif is not aware of how properties are purchased. Initially he had claimed that a Qatari price had given the money [for it] and now he is saying that his children would know about it.”

Separately, sharing an update on the status of education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, provincial Education Minister Atif Khan said the PTI-led government had brought improvement to all sectors.

“As many as 10 universities were established during 70 years in KP, but in our five years, 10 more universities were established. We have renovated existing schools and improved infrastructure. There were 170 colleges in KP when we took over and we established 45 colleges over the last five years. Some 57,000 teachers were appointed at public schools and 850 new schools were established in the province,” he said.

MNA Murad Saeed of the PTI claimed that recent reports showed that KP was performing better than other provinces in most sectors. He said attendance of teachers and doctors had been ensured through the biometric system and corruption had declined during the PTI’s tenure.

According to details issued by the PTI’s central media department, MPA Dr Nadia Aziz, former Shujabad MPA Rana Sohail Noon, and Qaumi Watan Party’s Khalid Khan announced their decision to join the PTI at a meeting with PTI chairperson Imran Khan at his Banigala residence.

PTI leader Jahangir Khan Tareen, PTI north Punjab president Amir Kiyani and KP leader Fazal Khan were also present in the meeting.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2018