PTI accepts defeat in first phase of K-P local govt elections

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday accepted its defeat in the first phase of local government elections in 17 districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

Addressing media in Peshawar, Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz said the PTI lost the LG elections because it had a contest against itself. Many of the PTI workers were angry with the party leadership, he said adding that inflation was one of the biggest problems, which was an international issue.

Read more: Two dead as KP local govt elections turn violent

However, he claimed, the elections were peaceful in comparison with the previous polls.

He said the opposition had nothing to offer and neither had they any alternative plan for the future. He said his party had learned many things from the current elections and they would prepare for the upcoming polls after analysing them.

“We are looking into where the party underperformed and weaknesses at the organisational level. It was the first phase only and now we have to prepare for the next phase,” he said.

According to unofficial and unconfirmed results of 16 tehsils out of 65, Jamiat Ulema e Islam-F (JUI-F) is leading the elections with its candidates winning in seven tehsils, the PTI’s candidates have won in five tehsils, the Awami National Party won three tehsil seats and Pakistan Muslim League-N won in one tehsil only.

Read more: Khyber Paktunkhwa (KPK) Local Body Election Result 2021 

K-P Minister for Labour and Culture Shaukat Ali Yousafzai said the PTI was defeated because of inflation. Hopefully, the inflation would subside in next few months, he said.

PTI MPA Muhammed Atif Khan said his party did not receive votes because people were worried due to inflation. “I don’t see any other reason. People are upset because of inflation. It is an international issue and we realise it,” he said.