ANP to convene 'Pakhtun Jirga', APC

Aimal to write letter to PM for judicial probe into Maulana Khan Zeb's killing in Bajaur

The Awami National Party (ANP) has announced it will convene a Pakhtun Jirga in Peshawar and an All Parties Conference (APC) in Islamabad over the deteriorating law and order situation in the province, target killings, minerals bill, provincial rights and the possible abolition of the 18th Amendment.

ANP President Aimal Wali Khan held the state responsible for the murder of senior party leader Maulana Khan Zeb in Bajaur. He said he will write a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to investigate the murder.

A think-tank meeting of ANP was chaired by Aimal Wali Khan on Tuesday. The meeting discussed the law and order situation. After the meeting, The ANP chief addressed a press conference along with former chief minister Haider Hoti, Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour and other members of the think-tank.

They said ANP's central secretary for Ulema Affairs Maulana Khan Zeb was killed in a tragic incident in Bajaur. The incident occurred at a place, which is considered as the stronghold of state institutions. Surprisingly, not only did the killers disappear immediately after the incident, all the CCTV cameras installed at the location also vanished.

The people of Bajaur believe that state actors are involved in the murder, the ANP leaders noted. They demanded that a powerful judicial commission headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan be formed if the state truly has no role in the recent killing.

They also insisted to include a member of Maulana Khanzeb's family in the proposed commission to ensure transparency and justice for the family.

The ANP leaders said their workers are being killed, but the culprits are not being traced. Neither Taliban nor ISIS has claimed responsibility for Maulana Khanzeb's murder, they added, asking if both the entities are denying their role, who is the killer then?

They demanded that the name and face of the person involved in the murder be brought to light. They indicated to approach international forums if justice is not provided within the country.

They announced that ANP will convene a Pakhtun Jirga in Peshawar and an All Parties Conference (APC) in Islamabad, with dates to be revealed soon. "It is a delusion of those who think they can force us to retreat from the 18th or 25th Constitutional Amendments through intimidation, terrorism and killing," said the ANP leaders.

They added that the entire nation knows who is behind terrorism from Waziristan to Bajaur and what their objectives are.

They warned of street agitation if a judicial commission is not formed to investigate the murder. "We won't budge up a little even if we are thrown out of parliament or deleted from Form 45 and Form 47," the ANP leaders vowed.

The ANP has proven through its opposition to the Mines and Minerals Bill that no law can be passed without its consent, they highlighted.

They also pointed out that ANP leaders are being tempted to join other parties with promises of greener pastures.