PESHAWAR - Mian Iftikhar Hussain, leader of Awami National Party (ANP) and former information minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has said that culture of the province is being destroyed under a conspiracy.
He was addressing a seminar organised here on Wednesday by Peace, Education & Development (PEAD) Foundation on the topic of 'Is Cultural Diversity under Threat in Pakistan?'
Iftikhar said that Pakhtun traditions had been in place for centuries, even before the advent of Islam, and they included non-violence, no attack on a woman or child and no attack on a Hujra.
"But all this has changed. Suicide bombing is not our culture. Schools, churches, mosques and shrines are being attacked and women and children are being killed," he said.
Iftikhar said that ANP was supporting peace talks with the Taliban. But he warned that the chances of success in the ongoing peace parleys were not very bright.
PTI MPA Arif Yousaf said, "Our culture is being misrepresented in the world. Pakhtun culture should be promoted and the traditions of our people must be shown to the world."
Uzma Khan, JUI-F MPA, said that cultural diversity was under threat and what was being shown on TV was not Pakhtun culture.
"We should think collectively as a nation and promote tolerance because Islam does not teach violence," she added.
‘Peace to be restored at all costs’
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Engineer Shaukatullah has said that peace will be restored at all costs and he is fully satisfied with the talks process between the government and the Taliban.
For the first time the government has shown seriousness in talks and all the stakeholders are on board, the governor said while talking to media persons here on Wednesday.
He said that the federal as well as provincial govts were fully cooperating each other in the talks process.
"The difficulties we as a nation have been facing are of temporary nature and will fade away soon," he said. Overcoming law and order issues, ensuring peace and stability and promoting opportunities for economic development are top priorities of the government, he added.
Earlier, Governor Shaukatullah addressed the representatives of business community during his visit to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
He exchanged views with the traders on the occasion.