Undeterred and unbowed: ‘ANP to contest polls come what may’

Ghulam Bilour urges incoming government to devise clear and independent foreign policy.

PESHAWAR:

Awami National Party’s (ANP) senior leader Ghulam Ahmed Bilour on Thursday reiterated his party will not back out from contesting elections despite threats and attacks on party candidates.

Bilour also stressed that whosoever forms the new government after elections should formulate an independent foreign policy that favours the country.

Addressing a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Thursday, he said though the party leadership faces a tough situation, they will “not let the blood of our martyred party workers go in vain.”

He alleged the democratic system in the country has been destroyed and innocent people have fallen victim to terrorism and extremism, which he claimed was currently at its peak. Unemployment was also increasing every day, he added.



“We are fighting a war for the sovereignty and integrity of the country. We do not have personal enmity with anyone, but our workers and leaders are specifically being targeted,” said Bilour.

Referring to the previous attacks in Peshawar, Bilour alleged the same people who are not condemning the killing of innocent people are calling for a ‘new Pakistan’. “What will you do of the old Pakistan when you make a new one,” retorted Bilour. “We must protect the present Pakistan from the grave challenges it faces.”

He said people are now politically mature and can make the right decisions. “We hope the security situation would be handled in a way to ensure a peaceful election environment. I do not care for my life and terrorist attacks against ANP workers will not deter us from continuing our work. We will continue to denounce terrorism and extremism,” he said. “No other party can claim such sacrifices the way our party workers have made.”

Bilour alleged the ANP leadership was being targeted due to its stance on terrorism and favouring friendlier ties with neighbouring countries. The senior leader also condemned attacks on the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) candidates and workers and prayed for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s recovery.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 10^th, 2013.