PESHAWAR: Awami National Party president Asfandyar Wali has welcomed the government’s decision to end death penalty moratorium, saying it will the pave way for execution of terrorists in the country.

“The decision to resume execution of the condemned prisoners is a right step and it should have been taken much earlier. It will go a long way to establish peace in the country,” he told a function held at Nishtar Hall here on Monday to mark the second death anniversary of ANP leader Bashir Ahmed Bilour.

Mr Khan said that there should no distinction of ‘good and bad’ Taliban and across the board action was required to eliminate all those, who were killing innocent people in the country. The country suffered greatly owing to terrorism and it couldn’t afford any further delay in action against the people involved in acts of violence.

“The attack on Army Public School and College is highly condemnable. It has united the entire nation. The government shouldn’t waste time. A full-scale campaign is needed to defeat militants,” the ANP chief said.

Asfandyar says end to death penalty moratorium will pave way for execution of terrorists

He pledged that his party would continue its efforts against militancy till restoration of peace in the country.

Mr Khan also lauded Bashir Ahmed Bilour for his bravery, saying that his sacrifice against terrorism was widely acclaimed. ANP would not budge an inch from its primped stand against militants and would support all moves aimed at defeating those, who were disturbing peace.

“We request the both the Pakistan and Afghan governments to resolve the issue of terrorism through dialogue and coordinated efforts as endless spate of violence has affected both the countries,” he said.

The ANP chief also asked both the central and provincial governments to fulfill their responsibilities in providing basic facilities to the internally displaced persons. The people of Fata rendered great sacrifices against the prolonged militancy, he said, adding that they left their homes just to provide peace to the people of the whole country. It was the duty of the government to help them in these trying times, he said.

“I am afraid the situation can become more dangerous if the displaced people are not assisted properly,” Mr Khan said. The government, he said, was required to stop pursuing the policy introduced in the era of General Ziaul Haq and take measures in line with the present day’s needs. “If the government fails to do away with Gen Zia’s policy, there will be more attacks on schools in future,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, ANP general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain paid rich tributes to Bashir Bilour and other party leaders and workers, who laid their lives in fight against terrorism. He said that the sacrifices of ANP would bear fruits as those had united the people against terrorism.

ANP senior leader Ghulam Ahmed Bilour said that the whole nation wanted the government to take action against terrorists. “We should stand against terrorists to thwart their efforts of implementing their agenda through force,” he said, adding that the people had awakened and they were ready to render any sacrifice to eliminate militancy.

Former chief minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti and other leaders of ANP also spoke on the occasion. They lauded the efforts of Bashir Bilour and said that he stood fearlessly against violence.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2014