ANP refuses to hold talks with PTI

The Awami National Party (ANP) on Thursday refused to hold talks with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain said: "PTI leader Asad Qaiser contacted us. ANP believes that we were defeated in support of the PTI. The PTI was given to the government in KP by rigging."

"In this situation, negotiations with the PTI as a party are not suitable," he said.

"We [ANP] have announced a protest against rigging in the polls," Hussain said.

PTI leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser announced on Thursday that the party's founding chairman Imran Khan has picked Omar Ayub as the party's candidate for the slot of prime minister.

Speaking to the media after meeting the party founder in Adiala jail, he said the party has completed its consultations and Imran will "shortly" announce a date for countrywide protests against "election rigging".

“I have been assigned with the task of holding discussion with all political parties on this matter,” said Qasier, adding “I will talk to Maulana Fazlur Rehman, ANP, and other parties.”

“The matter of election rigging is not being taken seriously on the international level, and will we hold nationwide protests against poll fraud.”

Qaiser stressed respecting the Constitution and said the chief justice must take notice of this issue. “Our leader is Imran Khan, what he decides is accepted,” he added.