PESHAWAR - Awami National Party (ANP) Central President Asfandyar Wali Khan has warned the government against plunging the country into the war of others as Pakistan already suffered greatly owing to mistakes committed by the past governments.
He was talking to journalists after a meeting of Provincial Working Committee here at Bacha Khan Markaz Peshawar on Tuesday. On this occasion, Central Senior Vice President of ANP Haji Ghulam Bilour, Central General Secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain, Syed Aqil Shah and Provincial General Secretary Aimal Wali Khan were also present.
He said that owing to involvement in Afghan wars, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA were badly affected and if once again the country was plunged into war started in Yemen, the people of Balochistan would bear the brunt of terrorism.
The ANP leader said the result of Afghan war is an open reality but unfortunately no one learned from the history. He said the country is not in the position to join proxy war started among various Arab states. He said that Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif should convene an all party conference to take the viewpoint of opposition parties. He said that the ANP will oppose the policy of intervention in the affairs of others.
Regarding local bodies polls, Asfandyar said that ANP is part of tripartite alliance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and they would jointly contest the election against PTI under single election symbol.
He also opposed this section of local government act that a district Nazim will be terminated through a single order of chief minister. He said that ANP will support party-based local bodies’ elections.
He said that holding election on non-party bases is tantamount to recall the old age of dictatorship. He also urged upon the government to launch an enquiry into the statement of Saulat Mirza through joint investigation team and pinpoint those elements whose have destroyed peace of Karachi.
He said that the ANP has no militant wing and if any of its workers was found involved in militancy, he would not be allowed to remain part of ANP. He also welcomed the steps of Afghan president for improving friendly relation with Pakistan and hoped that both countries will work together for the cause of peace.