ISLAMABAD  - Although Asfandyar Wali-led Awami National Party (ANP) despite immense pressure has no intention to welcome Begum Naseem Wali Khan, yet the veteran politician known as ‘Mor Bibi’ has planned to hold another press conference with some new strategy and announcements about the party in coming days.
The former provincial president of ANP, Begum Naseem Wali Khan, with the support of some former disgruntled party members is all set to make important announcements by the end of December this year, sources in ANP told The Nation.
Begum Naseem Wali is in these days holding parleys with different former ANP leader to chalk out future course of action in line with announcement to secure the political movement initiated by the late Bacha Khan and Wali khan.
Background interviews and discussions with former party leaders of the faction (ANP) left this impression that Begum Wali’s sudden reaction could prove more damaging for the party that has already received a shock provided by Azam Khan Hoti a couple of days before.
They believed veteran politician would hastily work on future course of action with full determination. The veteran politician has been inactive in politics for the last some years since the time she lost the elections for the slot of party President at the hands of her stepson, Asfanyar Wali Khan. Later on her loyalists in the party were also sidelined.
Defending party’s stance about shocking defeat in general elections in May, ANP’s senior member Bushra Gohar said that all the party members were standing behind Asfandyar Wali Khan to secure the political movement initiated by the late Bacha Khan and Wali khan.
To a question about any reconciliation with Begum Nasim, she said that it was her democratic right to vigorously comeback in political arena. “The ANP has already taken such step which respected Begum Wali pointed out in her press conference,” she said, expressing no intention in future to reconcile with former ANP’s leader in this regard.
“Party is united and standing behind Asfandyar Wali Khan. Already fact-finding mission worked on the dissatisfactory results of May 11 polls and more work for fresh membership is under way,” she said defending the point raised by Begum Nasim in her press conference.
About not awarding party ticket to veteran party leader in Feb 2012, she said it was the party decision and she might not given ticket mainly on health grounds.
It is relevant to mention here that Begum Nasim on May 13, 2013 reportedly blamed her son for the failure of the ANP in the elections.
She had remarked that her son knew nothing about politics, adding that they should have boycotted the elections due to terrorism. She also attributed the inclusion of Afrasyiab Khattak in the party as a major reason for defeat.
The ANP which was the governing party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa suffered defeat at the hands of the PTI which gained majority in the province in 2013 general elections.