Babara tragedy victims remembered

NOWSHERA: Awami National Party leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain said on Saturday that people affiliated with the Khudai Khidmatgar Tehreek had rendered matchless sacrifices for the nation and would always be remembered in history.

“The past rulers led by Abdul Qayyum Khan committed massacre of the Pakhtuns in Babara in Charsadda, who wanted their rights in a peaceful way on August 12, 1948,” he said while speaking at a meeting held in connection with preparation to mark the Babara carnage.

He said that the rulers used brute force to suppress the peaceful protesters and martyred hundreds of them, which was still a stigma on their role and the worst example of persecution.

Mian Iftikhar said that Bacha Khan and Khudai Khidmatgars braved all odds and difficulties and remained steadfast in their struggle for their rights.

“The Khudai Khidmatgars faced persecution, imprisonment, exile and even sacrificed their lives but never deviated from their right and set an example of bravery and courage for others,” the ANP leader said, adding that tragic incident of Babara had given a lesson of courage, steadfastness and resilience against all challenges and difficulties.

He said that the ANP would not compromise on the rights of people and continue the mission of their ancestors for the same at all costs.

Giving details, Mian Iftikhar said that the ANP would arrange main programme on August 12 in Charsadda, August 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, in Nowshera, Swat, Bajaur, Mardan and Peshawar, respectively, to mark the Babara tragedy.