Internal rifts: ANP leader issued show-cause notice by party

Iftikhar Hussain castigates Imran Khan’s call for Taliban office.

PESHAWAR: The Awami National Party (ANP) on Friday issued a show-cause notice to its leader Azam Khan Hoti for violating the party’s discipline by demanding the resignation of former party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan.

ANP’s organising committee chairman Basher Khan Matta issued the notice to Hoti, the party’s provincial spokesperson Advocate Sadarudin Khan told The Express Tribune. Hoti has been asked to respond to the notice within seven days, otherwise further action will be taken.

Earlier this week, Hoti threatened to make startling revelations against Asfandyar and demanded the latter step down.

Remembering Najibullah

Former information minister and ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Husain has strongly criticised Imran Khan’s proposal of opening an office for Taliban.

Speaking at the 17th death anniversary of Afghanistan’s former president Dr Mohammad Najibullah at Bacha Khan Markaz, Hussain said the government should come up with an agenda first and then pursue dialogue.

Remembering Najibullah, Hussain recalled how he was a follower of Bacha Khan’s philosophy of non-violence.

Echoing Hussain, Senator Afrasiyab Khattak also maintained militancy had increased after the government’s insistence on dialogue with the Taliban. Khattak also threw his weight behind Asfandyar, declaring him the party leader through consensus of all members.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2013.