Remembering heroes : ANP marks death anniversary of Bacha Khan, Wali Khan

Says policy of non-violence should be adopted by all Pukhtuns.

SWABI/ MINGORA/ HANGU/ UPPER DIR: Awami National Party (ANP) marked the 27th and eighth death anniversaries of Bacha Khan and Abdul Wali Khan, respectively, in Mingora and Upper Dir on Sunday.

“The entire Pukhtun nation takes pride in their leader, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan,” said Wajid Ali Khan, ANP’s central additional secretary, at a ceremony held at Swat Press Club. “Today everyone remembers his policy of non-violence.”

A large number of people gathered to pay homage to the Pukhtun leaders. Wajid said Bacha Khan had predicted 40 years ago that United States and Russia had their interests in Afghanistan. “It is today that the whole world realises his prediction was true.” Other speakers at the ceremony said the approach of non-violence by these great leaders should be followed by Pukhtuns.



Meanwhile, the Upper Dir ANP chapter also held a function at the District Assembly Hall on Sunday to mark the death anniversaries of their leaders.

About 300 party workers from all parts of the district attended the function. It was addressed by Upper Dir ANP President Rajaa Amir Zaman Khan, General Secretary Muhammad Irshad, Saeed Anwar Khan, Bachauddin Lala and others.

They said Bacha Khan and Wali Khan always battled for the right of Pukhtuns. They said the late Bacha Khan remained in jail for 38 years as the rulers of the time did not want Pukhtuns to be educated.

“Bacha Khan was a true Muslim and a sincere leader,” Rajja said.

Meanwhile, the ANP also observed the anniversaries of their leaders in Hangu and Swabi.

In Hangu, the event was held under the chairmanship of ANP Hangu President Yousaf Khan, while other district officials were also there on the occasion. A large number of party workers from across the district were present.

In Swabi, ANP’s K-P parliamentary leader Sardar Hussain Babak said peace can be established in both Pakistan and Afghanistan by adopting the non-violent policies of Bacha Khan.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26^th, 2015.