ANP chief condemns use of force against PPP workers

PESHAWAR: Condemning the baton charge on the workers of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Awami National Party (ANP) President Asfandyar Wali Khan has demanded action against officials for misbehaving with the women protesters in Rawalpindi.

Through a statement issued here on Wednesday, the ANP president said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government used force against peaceful protesters to silence the dissenting voices.

He termed the practice dangerous for the democracy, adding the nation remembered the time when Islamabad witnessed 126-day protest and ransacking of public properties.

“The nation has not forgotten the attack on the PTV and Parliament House when no one could dare stop the PTI workers from damaging the state properties,” he added. Asfandyar Wali Khan said the PTI leaders and workers engaged in violent protests in the past but were not allowing peaceful protests in the country. He said that PTI had resorted to the use of force and was putting political opponents behind bars. He questioned the rationale behind shifting of cases against former president Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to Islamabad from Karachi.

Asfandyar Wali Khan added that the federal government was afraid of the popularity of the PPP government in Sindh and resorted to the use of force against its workers.

The ANP chief said his party supported accountability but was against its use as a tool for achieving political objectives.

Asfandyar Wali Khan demanded the initiation of across the board accountability. He also demanded the release of the arrested political workers and action against the officials who misbehaved with the female protesters.

The ANP chief said that the country could not afford any other system except democracy and urged all political parties to mobilise masses for achieving sustainable democracy in Pakistan.

He said that religio-political parties should come forward for the protection of democracy and institutions in the country.