ANP Mian Iftikhar blasts provincial govt over insecurity

Several political activists join the ANP, including those from PTI

PESHAWAR:

Awami National Party (ANP) Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa President Mian Iftikhar Hussain has strongly criticized the provincial government for its failure to curb lawlessness and terrorism, saying that no one in power seems concerned about the deteriorating security situation.

Speaking at a joining ceremony held at Kohati Gate, Peshawar, where several political activists, including those from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), joined the ANP, Mian Iftikhar accused the ruling setup of being preoccupied with internal power struggles rather than public welfare.

He alleged that despite claims of honesty, government jobs were being sold openly under the current administration. "Those who call themselves clean and honest are selling jobs. The rulers are fighting for the throne while the province burns," he remarked.

Mian Iftikhar also condemned the reported stoppage of flour supplies from Punjab to K-P, terming it unconstitutional. "If Punjab stops flour supply to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, then we will also demand our rightful share of electricity and water," he asserted.

He called for electing leaders who could genuinely protect the province's rights, adding that during ANP's tenure, the party had demonstrated its commitment to public service and would do so again.

He claimed that ANP's electoral victories have often been "turned into defeats" through manipulation. "Those who bow to the powerful win elections even with empty ballot boxes," he said, criticizing what he described as a long-standing effort to suppress nationalist and democratic movements.

Mian Iftikhar recalled that ANP leaders had made sacrifices to defeat terrorism during their government. "We raised the morale of the police and fought side by side against terrorists. Today, the same police are being told not to step out after sunset," he said.

On regional tensions, the ANP leader said his party wanted peace and friendly relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. "If issues between the two countries are not resolved through dialogue, the situation will worsen. Any international conflict in this region will ultimately destroy Pashtuns on both sides," he warned.