PESHAWAR: The outspoken lawmaker of Awami National Party in provincial assembly, Sardar Hussain Babak, has been alerted by the security agencies about imminent threat to his life from outlawed groups for speaking in favour of peace in the region.

The law enforcement agencies have informed Mr Babak that they intercepted communication of the outlawed Tahreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, plotting to assassinate him.

It is pertinent to mention here that Sardar Hussain Babak, who is also parliamentary leader of ANP in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, has survived several attempts on his life in the previous few years.

He is very active in the efforts for restoration of peace across the province and could be seen speaking candidly against the militants and in favour of peace at each platform including peace march, rallies, jirgas, seminars and in the provincial assembly.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Babak confirmed the plotting of TTP to assassinate him. He said that after interception of the communication by the agencies, police provided him adequate security. He said that inspector general of police and other senior officials were in contact with him.

“The only justification with the militants for my assassination is that I am speaking for peace at every available forum. Making efforts for peace and raising voice for it, is the narrative of ANP,” he said.

The ANP leader said that it was good omen that people were aware of the repercussions of militancy as thousands of people staged peace rallies in different areas, especially in Swat and Wana, when militants resurfaced there.

Mr Babak said that in Swat, people having affiliation with different political parties jointly staged rallies against militants and in favour of peace. He said that fortunately educational institutions were also holding seminars and workshops in connection with peace.

He criticised the PTI government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for not having a clear stance on the existence and regrouping of militants in the province. “There are 94 MPAs of PTI in the provincial assembly; however, it has appointed a spokesman for the government having soft corner for militants,” he added.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2022