Asfandyar terms PTM’s demands lawful

PESHAWAR: Terming the demands of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) as genuine and legitimate, Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan said on Tuesday that his party wanted solution to these problems in line with the constitution and the law of the land.

In a statement, he said the demands of the PTM were lawful and the ANP had been raising these demands from its platform from time to time since long.

Asfandyar Wali said the government should take steps for solving these problems at the earliest. He said that he had openly announced by attending the PTM sit-in in Islamabad that its demands should be accepted and the prime minister should take the matter seriously. He reiterated his stance that issues should be addressed in a serious manner.

The ANP leader said they believed in the supremacy of the democracy, rule of law and non-violence. He maintained that the ANP didn’t want to adopt any unlawful and extra-constitutional way for resolving the problems. “We want the solution of our problems within the ambit of the constitution,” he added.

Asfandyar Wali said the ANP never supported any undemocratic step since its inception. He said that they would continue their struggle for restoration of peace and supremacy of democratic system. “All stakeholders should play their role in a positive manner for the purpose,” he stressed.

The ANP leader said that democracy was the only solution to the problems and any step to derail democratic system would harm the country. He said the ANP condemned violence and terrorism in any parts of the world.

The ANP rendered great sacrifices for restoration of peace in the country, Asfandyar Wali said, adding, that terror incidents, kidnapping for ransom and other criminal activities were not a good omen.

He urged the federal and provincial governments to fulfill their responsibility and ensure security of the lives and properties of the people. He said the government should take steps to maintain peace and security.