PESHAWAR: Newly-elected central president of the Awami National Party Senator Aimal Wali Khan on Thursday demanded the opening of trade routes with all neighbouring states and effective implementation of the National Action Plan against terrorism.

Addressing the first news conference at the Bacha Khan Markaz here after his election as the party’s head lately, Mr Aimal said many national resources, especially marble, tobacco, minerals and electricity, belonged to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but the factories belonged to Punjab.

“Whenever we raise our voice to claim the right to our resources, we are called out. We should be allowed to open all trade routes with neighboring countries,” he said.

Accompanied by his party’s office-bearers, including provincial president Mian Iftikhar Hussain, the ANP chief said the country had a “soft martial law” for the last one decade.

Says trade routes with neighbouring countries should be opened

He said the security establishment was managing national affairs from behind the scenes.

“I hope that despite difficulties, the people will continue striving to strengthen democracy in the country,” he said.

Mr Aimal said the idea of Pakhtunistan didn’t come from Pakhtun leaders Bacha Khan, Wali Khan and Asfandyar Wali Khan.

He said the ANP wanted to “liberate” the country in line with the Constitution so that all nationalities had independence.

The ANP chief said his party would defend the Eighteenth Amendment by all means as it protected the rights of the disadvantaged people.

He said every institution should play a role as defined by the Constitution.

“Judiciary, army, media and all others should fulfill their responsibilities restricting themselves to their constitutional limits,” he said.

Mr Aimal called for effective implementation of the National Action Plan to protect public life and property.

“We’re serving the people irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds. If Punjabis are oppressed, we’ll raise our voice for them, too,” he said.

The ANP leader said the ANP would vehemently oppose the oppressive policy of the state by becoming the voice of missing persons and internally displaced persons.

He said the IDPs should be repatriated with respect as early as possible.

Aimal said the ANP was opposed to foreign interference in the country and didn’t support Pakistan’s interference in the affairs of any other country.

“We want Afghanistan to have a system in line with the will of Afghan people and not that of the US or Pakistan. As a neighboring country, we will raise our voices at every forum for the rights of Afghanistan,” he said.

Referring to the protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the ANP chief said his party did not stand with India, Pakistan and China but with Kashmiri people for the resolution of their issues.

He said the ANP also supported Palestinians against Israeli suppression.

“We want good trade and other relations with all neighboring countries and not war. Trade should be done through people,” he said.ww

Mr Aimal said unrest among the people of Malakand Division was rising due to the government’s plans to impose taxes. “What happened in Azad Jammu and Kashmir is happening in Malakand, now,” he said.

The ANP leader wondered if the people of Malakand would be given the same rights granted to Kashmiris after violent protests.

He insisted that terrorists were fast regrouping in southern and other districts of the provinces.

“Terrorists are targeting police under a plan. Authorities have given terrorists the opportunity to move freely,” he said.

Mr Aimal claimed that 40,000 terrorists, who got relief in the guise of reconciliation, were playing with people’s lives.

He said his party would call an all-party conference to bring political parties together on national issues.

“Instead of joining the government or being part of the opposition benches in the Senate, we will maintain our independent identity,” he said.

The ANP leader said his party always supported elected governments in Afghanistan.

Earlier, he appreciated his father and former central president of the party, Asfandyar Wali Khan, for striving for the welfare of Pakhtuns both in and out of parliament.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2024