SWABI: Two rival groups in Awami National Party, Swabi district, on Saturday decided to shun their differences and participate in the death anniversary function of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Khan Abdul Wali Khan on Monday.

Show-cause notices issued in October last year to seven senior members of the party and expulsion of Senator Sitara Ayaz had divided the ANP leaders into two groups. The two groups demanded restoration of membership of Sitara Ayaz and Mohammad Islam.

During last two weeks some positive signals also came into seen and insiders told this correspondent that it had been decided that show-cause notices of the other leaders had been withdrawn, while only Sitara Ayaz and Mr Islam would have to meet party’s central president Asfandyar Wali Khan for settling their issues.

When contacted, Hazir Hayat, who is member of the negotiating committee, said that a week ago they met with Aimal Wali Khan and he declared that the issue of other leaders had been resolved.

KASHMIR ISSUE: National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser has welcomed China’s policy for raising the longstanding issue of Kashmir in the UN Security Council.

Addressing a gathering in his native Marghuz village on Saturday, he said that it had been recognised by the world leaders that human rights situation in India-held Kashmir was deteriorating with each passing day due to Indian oppression.

“The Indian pressure and cruel tactics in held Kashmir would never work,” he said. He said that Pakistan would continue diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmiri people.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2020