Announcing full support to the demand of merging Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan said it was their long-lasting demand to bring the tribal areas at par with the mainstream, ensuring provision of equal rights to the people of the area. British colonial system is still in place in the area and people are deprived of their basic human rights, said Khan, flanked by other senior party members while addressing press conference after party Consultative committee meeting.
ANP chief expressed reservation over the National Action Plan (NAP) saying it is not being implemented in letter and in spirit. ANP supported the government on legislation, not possible in normal situation aimed at rooting out terrorism from the country in national interest.
Many banned organisations are still openly operating in the country under one name or the other, said Khan, adding that ANP workers and members of peace committee are being targeted in Bajaur and Swat respectively. These are the people who stood against Taliban, he added. He further said that though organised war against the state is over, however terrorism in the country is still going on and it is evident from the assassination of former Punjab Minister that whenever and wherever terrorists could easily make their target they act.
ANP chief raised voice against NAB actions saying that federal and provincial governments are inclined to political victimisation. There is a little difference in victimisation and accountability, said Khan, adding that resistance would be the last option if political victimisation is not stopped. He further said that some forces are inclined to go away with the 18th Constitutional amendment. Some efforts are allegedly being made to hold some ministries back, which were transferred to provinces after the amendment, said ANP chief, adding that strong resistance would be shown over the move. .
He also criticised the government on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) while saying that it made only a shadow announcement, however failed to do any thing practical for their betterment. There is nothing in Mir Ali Miran Shah as houses, shops and Bazaars are being destroyed, and the people went back facing severe problems. ANP chief demanded of the Prime Minister to implement his announcement made after the All Parties Conference (APC) in respect to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) by developing western route on priority. Strong resistance would be shown if government distracts from its commitment, he added.
He further said that Pakistan and Afghanistan relations were improved after Ashraf Ghani took the charge, however relations became bitter once again. He urged both sides to sit together and resolve the issues through negotiations. In the presence of Parliament there is no threat to democracy and government, however, if anybody tries to take over he would be strongly repulsed. The parliament was united and that is why sit-in met its fate, he added. He said that liberal and democratic forces are being targeted and resultantly a vacuum would be created.
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