Haider Hoti calls for steps to ensure peace

PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) leader Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on Sunday said Pashtun land had suffered due to imposed wars and called for steps to ensure peace.

Speaking at a public gathering in Peshawar, Hoti emphasized that the region must not be used for conflicts anymore.“The Pakhtuns want peace on their land. The state must play its role in securing this region. For too long, external wars have been fought on our soil, and we refuse to let it happen again,” Hoti added.

He stressed that achieving peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa requires a strong struggle, especially in its southern districts, which continue to face instability. Referring to the philosophy of Bacha Khan, he highlighted ANP’s commitment to non-violence and peace. “ANP remains the only political party openly advocating for peace,” he claimed.

The ANP leader criticized the government’s counter-terrorism approach, stating that publishing advertisements in newspapers would not eliminate terrorism. He directly addressed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, saying, “You cannot fight terrorism through mere political statements. Real action is needed.”

He also dismissed military confrontations with Afghanistan as a solution to regional security challenges. “War with Afghanistan is not the answer. Whenever we talk about Afghanistan, we face baseless accusations. We acknowledge Afghanistan as an independent country, but our cultural and historical ties with the Afghan people can never be erased,” he asserted.

Hoti accused the federal government of discriminatory treatment towards Pashtuns. “I will speak to Maryam Nawaz today about how we were treated unfairly. We were stopped from holding a peaceful gathering in Liaquat Bagh, yet those who attacked Islamabad were not restrained,” he said.