ANP workers continue campaigning for PTM

Some expelled, others issued show-cause notices as party cracks down on 'rule violators'

PESHAWAR: Even though the party claims to be striving for the rights of Pashtuns, the opposition of the Awami National Party's (ANP) leadership towards the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) continues to split its supporters.

The party's crackdown on members who are openly politicking or campaigning for the PTM, party members say, is only making their choice for them.

Struck out

Despite having been warned of dire consequences including suspension of their party membership, some youth leaders of the Awami National Party (ANP) have continued to work actively for the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) in violation of explicit directions from their party leadership.

"I have dedicated my entire life to the ANP and have always raised my voice wherever and whenever I felt Pashtuns were being discriminated against," was the way Mohsin Dawar, an active ANP activist and former head of ANP Youth Wing, explained his political affiliation and his current state of discord.

Dawar, who until recently headed ANP's youth wing — the National Youth Organization (NYO), witnessed firsthand what crossing directives from the party leadership can mean.

A single notification, without having been served a show cause notice in advance to explain or be given an opportunity to defend himself, removed him from his post.

"It was a simple, three-liner notification," Dawar said when asked to describe the contents of the notification. "I was removed from heading the youth wing," he added.

"I was never given the opportunity to defend myself. But even then, my political ideology is to stand by those who are being discriminated against," he said defiantly.

Dawar stated that his crime was only to raise his voice for the different issues plaguing Pashtun but not even his friends [when he was leading ANP's youth wing] supported him.

"With the PTM, I can see the success [of raising my voice] and I will communicate without even considering the consequences," he said in a pointed barb towards ANP leaders.

The ANP, which has long advocated for rights of the Pashtuns, has been distancing itself from the PTM and has been cracking down on party members who have been involved with it.

Hence, the party has made it clear that those members who are found guilty of violating the party discipline, will have to face the consequences — expulsion.

The ANP leadership also issued a show cause notice to rights activist Sana Ijaz, asking her to explain why she has been actively participating in PTM's gatherings.

"Yes, I have been served a notice," Ijaz confirmed to The Express Tribune, adding, "I have replied that I am not interested in parliamentary politics for now."

Asked about the allegations that the PTM has been involved in some anti-Pakistan activities, Ijaz said this was not the case.

"I have made it clear that whenever I felt PTM was involved in any anti-Pakistan or anti-Constitutional activity, I will be the first to leave PTM."

Asked about her future with the ANP, she was coy.

"I am not defying party directions," she said, adding, "You will find me anywhere, wherever there is an injustice."



No room for competition

ANP leader Aimal Wali Khan, in a party meeting held last week, stated that the ANP had been fighting for the rights of Pashtuns for decades and had always supported such movements. But, the party has always been careful of maintaining its identity.

Even for the times that it did support similar movements, it never merged with any of them.

"We have made it clear, anyone who participates, sits on the stage or anywhere else [with PTM], must seek prior permission, otherwise action will be taken against all those found guilty for violating party discipline," he informed the gathering.

It harkened of a cagey approach from the party which continues to lick its wounds after being dethroned from the provincial political pedestal in the last general elections and is desperate to mark a return to corridors of power.

Pushed into a decision

For the young, ideological supporters of ANP, the approach by the party leadership seems to push them towards the PTM rather than keep them away from it.

"Since my childhood, I have been watching and listening to ANP leaders demanding rights for Pashtun and I wonder what has happened since Mansoor Pashteen has been doing the same," a young ANP leader and an active PTM member told The Express Tribune.

The party worker also dispelled the notion that the PTM was agitating in contravention to the Constitution. He stated that Pashteen, who has been leading PTM for over two months, was running its campaign in accordance with Constitution of Pakistan.

"ANP has completely refused to support the PTM, whilst Mehmood Khan Achakzai's Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) supports it," the ANP worker complained, adding, "this is difficult for youngsters like me to make a selection since both claim to be fighting for the rights of Pashtuns."