Over 700 ANP activists slain to date: Ghulam Bilour

Says the party would not let non-state actors thwart their poll campaign.

ISLAMABAD: More than 700 workers of the Awami National Party have been killed in the past five years for their modest and anti-Taliban stance in politics, former railways minister Ghulam Ahmad Bilour said.

In conversation with The Express Tribune, the Awami National Party (ANP) leader declared that his party has made the most sacrifices to date and that its leadership is being attacked due to their moderate approach to terrorism and friendly ties with neighbours, particularly India.

In the wake of attacks on ANP, Bilour said his party cannot carry out poll campaigns. However, they will not let non-state actors thwart their efforts.

“My martyred brother, Bashir Bilour, once told me that if we surrender to the Taliban then what will the world say about our country – whether it’s Pakistan or ‘Qabaristan’ (graveyard),” an emotive Bilour said. “[It will become] a place where people do not raise their voices against zulm (evil).”

Though it’s a tough time for the party leadership, we will contest elections and will not let the blood of our martyred workers go in vain, Bilour said.

No other party can claim such sacrifices the way our party workers can, Bilour said.

Recently Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim wrote a letter to ANP chief Asfandyar Wali and assured full support for the provision of security to the party in the run-up to the May 11 elections.

The CEC also wrote to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz over terrorist attacks on their candidates in Hyderabad and Quetta.

Reconciliation with Taliban?

In a condolence reference for the late senior minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour, ANP stalwarts, including his brother Ghulam Ahmad Bilour and Asfandyar Wali Khan, supported the idea of giving “first priority” for holding talks with militants.

Referring to TTP’s recent offer to hold talks, Ghulam Bilour said the conditions of negotiations will change following Bashir Bilour’s death.

“A day before his death, I told Bashir he will be the only one speaking out against militants [at the convention] and he replied saying: ‘If not me, then who else?’”

Ghulam Bilour added that his brother’s martyrdom has made the party proud.

He questioned the viability of negotiations in the backdrop of repeated attacks on ANP’s leadership. “Many of our candidates and members of provincial assemblies have been eliminated during the last few years,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2013.