‘ANP to resist any attempt to derail system’

•  ANP chief says FATA merger should be completed before 2018 elections

• Asfandyar says peace in Pakistan and Afghanistan is a prerequisite for peace in region

PESHAWAR: Awami National Party President Asfandyar Wali Khan Saturday said the ongoing democratic process was facing a looming threat and if present system was derailed, ANP would rise to the occasion and resist it with full strength.

Addressing a huge public gathering here, Asfandyar Wali said rumours regarding technocrat setup were circulating, but any attempt to derail the ongoing democratic process would be resisted.

The public gathering among others was also addressed by ANP Central General Secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain and former KP chief minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti. He said all the institutions should work within their constitutional ambit and fulfil responsibilities in the greater interest of masses.

Asfandyar regretted that those busy in cursing the parliament would participate in the next coming election. He said it was astonishing that the PTI chief had claimed that all its members had given resignations to him, but on the contrary, the PTI parliamentarians were denying the statement.

He also criticised the political opponents and said they were prioritising their own objectives rather serving the masses. Veteran politician also criticised PTI chief over Mardan incident saying where was the performance of KP police which was being projected by the provincial government as the best force of the country.

He demanded the arrest of the culprits of Mardan incident in seven days and also threatened protest if the government failed to perform its duties. He said the merger of FATA should be completed before 2018 elections keeping in view the aspirations of tribesmen. He said peace in Pakistan and Afghanistan was a prerequisite for the establishment of peace in the region.

Speaking on the occasion, Member National Assembly and former KP chief minister Ameer Haider Hoti criticised PTI saying that quagmire of problems faced by people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reflected the inefficiency and incapability of those who were on the helm of affairs in KP for the last four years.

He said the situation in KP would have been far better if PTI had focused energies to resolve issues of masses in KP rather prioritizing ‘Punjab politics’. He said those challenging ANP should come and witness the gathering of people here, adding ANP was the only party that truly represented Pakhtun identity and was fully capable to resolves their issues.