Remembering the long gone: Non-violence remembered in times of violence

ANP honours party stalwarts Bacha Khan, Wali Khan at Wali Bagh.


Mureeb Mohmand January 27, 2014
Asfandyar Khan Wali addressing press conference in Karachi. IRFAN ALI

CHARSADDA:


In an unprecedented move, the Awami National Party (ANP) observed Bacha Khan and Wali Khan’s death anniversaries at Wali Bagh, Charsadda on Sunday, while the party’s breakaway faction led by Begum Nasim Wali Khan will observe it at Nishtar Hall, Peshawar on Monday (today).


Senior ANP leaders, including Asfandyar Wali Khan, Afrasiab Khattak and Mian Iftikhar Hussain, among others, addressed participants on the occasion. Prior to this year’s event, Bacha Khan’s anniversary celebrations had always been convened at Nishtar Hall.

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Without naming names, ANP’s de-facto chief Asfandyar slated his stepmother, Begum Nasim Wali, for creating a rift within the party and termed her party ‘seasonal’, saying it will die out soon. Asfandyar said he will welcome all party workers who had quit in the past if they decided to re-join the party.

In his address to ANP activists, Asfandyar criticised Qaumi Watan Party chief Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao and accused him of using political point scoring to gain support in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa by protesting against the Kalabagh Dam. Rejecting the power project himself by calling it an issue of life and death for Pukhtuns, Asfandyar alleged Sherpao had supported the project when he was a minister in Musharraf’s cabinet.

“Every Wazir and Mehsud is not a terrorist. The government should avoid bombing innocent people,” said Asfandyar, adding the federal government should conduct an in-camera briefing for all political parties over the security situation. He said that while every party had given a mandate of peace and talks to the federal government, the interior minister still seemed confused. “The country is going through a critical juncture and it is the responsibility of the centre and provinces to maintain law and order.”

Continuing his unabated criticism, Bacha Khan’s grandson claimed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led provincial government had completely failed in governance. He said no development progress can be seen anywhere in the province, while projects initiated by ANP were also put on hold. Lashing out against PTI’s blockade of Nato supply routes, he said holding the protest in K-P is tainting the image of Pukhtuns. “If the government is sincere in its efforts, it should also block supply routes in Punjab and Sindh.”

The Pukhtun leader also shared his opinion on the Afghanistan situation. He said 2014 is a crucial year for the neighbouring country with the impending withdrawal of Nato forces. With ANP being a Pukhtun party, Asfandyar urged the federal government to take party leaders in confidence over its Afghan policy.

Former provincial information minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain highlighted the plight of Pukhtuns in Saudi Arabia. He claimed many are being forced to commit suicides in fear of being deported from the Arabian Peninsula. He urged the government to consult their Saudi counterparts over the issue.

Security at the event was tight with a heavy contingent of police deployed around the premises as several ANP gatherings have been attacked in the past.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2014. 

COMMENTS (1)

MAD | 10 years ago | Reply Those not in the know should try and mention that ANP has a policy of non-violence with a Karachiite. WIll be greated by a mixture of anger, laughter and disbelieve.
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