PESHAWAR: Presidency was offered to Awami National Party (ANP)’s leader Asfandyar Wali by the Chief of Army Staff Gen Kayani in 2008, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said while confirming the claim made by Wikileaks reports.
“Yes, Asfandyar Wali Khan had received the offer and he had informed his party colleagues,” Hussain said in response to a question at the concluding ceremony of a 3-day photo exhibition at the Cultural Center of Islamic Republic of Iran on Wednesday.
“It shows the credibility of our party,” Hussain added. He said the post was not accepted because ANP is a minor political force and as a democratic party, it believed that presidency was the right of the political party who has the majority in the parliament.
A plan to prevent terror attacks during Muharram had been made, he said, adding that sensitive areas and bazaars would be closed for a couple of days. Earlier, he appreciated the work of Peshawar based photo journalists and their role during recent floods.
He also thanked Consulate General and Cultural Center of Islamic Republic of Iran for arranging the exhibition. He distributed prizes amongst the winners Sajjad Kheyal, Riaz Anjum and Tanzeel Ur Rehman Baig and Abdul Majeed Goraya and Khurram Pervez.
The function was also addressed by Consul General of Islamic Republic of Iran Hasheem Ashjazada, Director of Iranian Cultural Center Zakiri and president of the Peshawar Press Club.
