ISLAMABAD (Staff Reporter): Chairman of the Pakistan Awami Quwwat Party, Khaqan Waheed Khawaja, has announced that his party will actively participate in the 2026 local government elections in Islamabad and field candidates in 125 union councils.He made the announcement while addressing a workers’ convention organised by the Pakistan Awami Quwwat Party at Rawal Auditorium. The convention was attended by a large number of party office-bearers, workers and supporters, along with representative delegations from NA-46, NA-47 and NA-48.Addressing the gathering, Khakan Waheed Khawaja said his party was treating the Islamabad local government elections as a test case. He claimed that people were expressing a lack of confidence in the policies and measures taken by the ruling party. He expressed optimism about his party’s electoral prospects.He said the party would ensure that its elected councillors had meaningful authority. According to him, taxes would be collected through the councillors and the revenue generated would be spent on public welfare and the development of local communities.The convention also witnessed the joining of several political and social figures who announced their affiliation with the Pakistan Awami Quwwat Party. Among them were NA-47 President Babar Hashmi, General Secretary Anjum Ilyas, Raza-ur-Rehman, Shahid Iqbal, Muhammad Ajmal, Owais Ajmal, Maulana Amjad Abbasi, Malik Gulraiz Awan, Umair Mahmood, Bilal Zahid, Chaudhry Sahir Ali, Raja Ishtiaq and Madam Bushra, along with other personalities.
Chairman Khakan Waheed Khawaja welcomed the new members by presenting them with party flags.Party Secretary General Malik Ejaz Hussain performed the duties of stage secretary. A party song was also played on a projector, highlighting the party’s manifesto and political narrative.The convention concluded with a question-and-answer session in which participants raised questions about local issues and the upcoming local government elections.Professor Umar Hayat, head of the committee established to oversee participation in the local government elections, briefed the participants on the rules and regulations, procedures and eligibility criteria for contesting the polls.
