Mian Iftikhar blasts govt for not protecting ANP workers

Says no package could be announced for slain workers;
condemns terror acts in Kabul, Saudi Arabia, Germany, France, US & UK

NOWSHERA: Awami National Party (ANP) general secretary and former provincial minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain on Sunday blasted the provincial government for what he termed its failure to provide protection to their workers and to announce any package for the slain activists.

Speaking at the 6th death anniversary of his lone son Mian Rashid Hussain in his native town Pabbi, Mian Iftikhar said that the ANP would have no other option but to move its case to international human rights forums and courts if the government continued its indifferent attitude to those who had been targetted or still being attacked by the terrorists.

He said that there was a need for judicial commission to probe the frequent killing of ANP activists by terrorists. “At least 25 our party activists, former parliamentarians and local leaders have been killed in terrorist attacks but neither the federal government nor the provincial government showed any sympathy or support to their relatives and party leadership,” he said and added that the government had also failed to implement all the points of National Action Plan to fully eliminate terrorism in the country.

He said that it had been the strongest demand of the ANP to implement all the 20-points of National Action Plan in letter and spirit. “But the government has failed to honour its own commitment and the demand of the political forces,” he added.

Had the National Action Plan been implemented in toto and no discrimination had been made between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ Taliban, the menace of terrorism would have been eradicated from the country, he remarked.

The ANP leader also condemned the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for not providing space at Nishtar Hall, Peshawar, for holding the functions of death anniversary of his son Mian Rashid Hussain and late Bashir Ahmad Bilour, former senior minister and ANP leader.

He said that the provincial government’s decision to ban political activities in the Nishtar Hall was beyond understanding. He said that it was the only hall in the provincial capital, which should be used for cultural, academic and social activities. “The government, by not allowing it for the anniversaries of the martyrs of the land, is committing excesses. Such public places should not be used for personal and political gains and victimisation,” he stressed.

Mian Iftikhar said that Pakistan and Afghanistan must end the prevailing trust-deficit and jointly struggle against terrorism as both the countries had suffered and were still suffering from the menace of terrorism. He said that China, India, Iran and Russia could also play a positive role in ending militancy and terrorism in the region. 

The ANP leader said that his party would not become part of any move or protest to derail democracy or weaken parliament, adding that all the problems should be resolved in parliament.  

The function was held at Ghazi Baba School and College where hundreds of ANP workers attended the 6th death anniversary of Mian Rashid Hussain, the lone son of Mian Iftikahr who was killed on July 24, 2010 near his home in Pabbi by terrorists.

The function was organised under the aegis of Mian Rashid Shaheed Foundation where its director Mian Zubair presided over the function while Mohammad Suleman performed as stage secretary.

 A former minister Masood Abbas Khattak, former member Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Tabassum Bibi, Yasmin Zia, Palwasha Bashir Matta, ANP Fata leader Tor Gul Afridi, Sangeen Khan, Dr Saeedur Rahman, Abbas Khan Ghazi and other also addressed the function.