Reaffirming his party stance on supremacy of parliament and constitution, rule of law and an end to terrorism and violence, Awami National Party President Asfandyar Wali Khan on Thursday said his party determined to render more and more sacrifices for such glorious purposes.
Addressing a well attended public gathering, he said, “We own this soil, therefore, we are (ANP stalwarts) targeted by the terrorists.”
Asfandyar said terrorists were the enemies of the soil. Therefore, they targeted those who were sincere to the cause. He made it clear that they would continue efforts for safeguarding interests of this soil and its son’s whatever may be its price.
The first ever ANP rally after February 2008 general election was arranged in connection with death anniversaries of late freedom fighter Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan alias Bacha Khan and late Khan Abdul Wali Khan.
The ANP rally was a message to those who backed its slogan for return of peace and stability in the region.
Beside Asfandyar, the rally was addressed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan.
A large number of female workers uniformed in Khudayee Khidmatgar dresses presented a guard of honour to Asfandyar.
Without mentioning Hakimullah Mehsud’s name, Asfandyar said, “We are willing to talk with others, as we have already talked to Fazalullah and Soofi Mohammad.”
He said he would not even stress on laying of arms for entering into a dialogue process but would definitely stress on “ceasefire” from both the sides. He said problems and matters could not be resolve through guns but could be easily settled through negotiation, asking all those involved in militancy to come on table for dialogue.
Regarding FATA, Asfandyar said a package of reforms had already been declared by the government. He, however, made it clear that the ANP had no intension to forcibly imposing its own wish on the tribesmen
“The tribesmen have the right to either join Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or go for any other decision.” However, he urged the ANP stalwarts and office bearers to go for detailed discussions and dialogue with the tribesmen through seminars, jirgas and workshops.
Commenting on what he claimed artificial “political polarisation” in the country, Asfandyar made it clear that the “ANP believes in supremacy of parliament and no one can expect anything contrary to the constitution from us”.
He praised President Asif Ali Zardari for his steps taken in accordance with the constitution.
Paying glowing tributes to late Bacha Khan and Khan Abdul Wali Khan, the ANP leader said, “I am respected as I follow their political philosophies, especially politics of non-violence.”
Asfandyar said the federal government had honoured the Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa Assembly resolution demanding renaming Peshawar Airport Bacha Khan International Airport. His announcement was welcomed by the audience.
