Taking stock: ANP to hold meetings in Peshawar, Charsadda

Party leaders will discuss Pak-Afghan relations, ongoing terrorism

PESHAWAR: Leaders of Awami National Party and members of the party’s central executive committee will hold two meetings to discuss the current crisis that has plagued the country.

One of the meetings will be held at Wali Bagh in Charsadda while the other will be convened at Bacha Khan Markaz in Peshawar.

The ANP’s central cabinet and think tank members will hold a meeting at Wali Bagh on September 19.

This moot will be chaired by ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan. The cabinet and think tank members will discuss the current crisis looming over the country.

They will also approve agenda for the central committee meeting scheduled to be held at Bacha Khan Markaz on September 20.

Talking points

Besides other organisational matters, ANP leaders will discuss Pak-Afghan relations. Some of the main issues that will be brought to the fore include the forcible repatriation of Afghan nationals, restrictions at Pak-Afghan border and growing hostilities between Islamabad and New Delhi.

Similarly, the meetings will also discuss ongoing terror and violent acts in Pukhtun-dominated areas.

Course of action

The ANP leaders said the meetings will also help clarify the party’s future line of action regarding increasing political polarisation over Panama leaks.

The party had already announced its disassociation from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s sit-in in Raiwind and demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. In addition, it has also demanded a judicial probe into Panama leaks.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18^th, 2016.