Hoti links peace in region with meaningful Pak-Afghan dialogue

TAKHTBHAI: Awami National Party leader and former chief minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti said on Saturday that the ANP would go to any extent for the rights of Pakhtuns and their protection and peace.

“The ANP has never compromised on the rights of Pakhtuns and would not do so in future as well,” he said while speaking at the party workers’ convention in Mian Issa Union Council in Lundkhwar near here.

He added that the ongoing wave of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the result of open hostility of ex-spymaster Faiz Hameed’s group, aimed at grabbing Pakhtuns’ resources.

He said that the release of thousands of militants had become a question mark for the whole world, leaving KP and Balochistan without a visible government writ.

He stressed that the peace in the region required purposeful dialogues and jirgas between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“The ANP has already made an open agreement with the Pakhtuns that their rights and protection will be ensured and peace will be guaranteed,” he pledged.

The ex-CM said that news of a secret deal with the jailed leader and the powers that be was circulating. He said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had now realised that nothing was possible without such a deal.

He criticised KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, saying he abandoned workers to tear gas and baton-charges while staging protests in Islamabad.

He also criticised the provincial government for handing over National Finance Commission award, mines and minerals and provincial resources to the federal government, accusing the PTI of leaving the province bankrupt.

Hoti said flood-affected families should be extended huge financial assistance instead of giving them peanuts. He recalled that in the 2010 floods, affected families received Rs500,000-600,000 in two phases.

He called for immediate reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, mosques, houses, and roads. He linked massive tree cutting to devastating floods and demanded a strict crackdown on the timber mafia, tougher laws and an international climate conference to present Pakistan’s case.

Hoti urged ANP workers across the province to continue helping flood victims, saying that serving humanity was worship and the essence of Bacha Khan’s political philosophy, which ANP followers must keep alive.