PESHAWAR: The Awami National Party (ANP) observed a black day across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday against the recent Parachinar convoy bloodbath and other terrorist attacks in the province.

Addressing a rally in front of the Peshawar Press Club here, ANP provincial president Mian Iftikhar Hussain said a “well-planned conspiracy” was behind a surge in terrorism in the province, with international powers and their facilitators involved in it.

He criticised the government over failure to protect public life, especially in the Kurram tribal district where a convoy of passenger vehicles was attacked leading to the killing of dozens of people.

Hussain condemned the Parachinar violence and demanded action against culprits.

Observes black day against Parachinar violence

He expressed solidarity with the affected families and said his party was committed to standing by them.

The ANP leader criticised the provincial and federal governments over “inaction and silence” on the issue.

He complained that the governments were busy with street protests instead of addressing people’s issues.

The party also announced plans to hold a peace march across the province to condemn terrorism. It also formed a peace jirga, led by Baaz Mohammad Khan, to visit Parachinar and negotiate with stakeholders to find a peaceful solution to the issue.

Meanwhile, the ANP activists staged a protest against terrorism in front of the Swat Press Club, drawing district cabinet members and workers in large numbers.

They voiced concern about the poor law and order situation in the province and complained that the escalating violence had rendered the people vulnerable.

The speakers said the recent carnage in Kurram Agency proved the growing unrest in the province.

They urged authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible for those heinous acts.

The ANP leaders warned the government that if effective measures weren’t immediately taken to restore peace in the province, their party would “take action to ensure stability.”

In Swabi district, the ANP activists gathered on the Swabi-Jehangira Road and blocked the road to traffic, complaining about the failure of the government to protect public life and property.

They demanded restoration of peace in Kurram.

Former forest minister Awal Sher Khan said a lot of blood had already been shed on Pakhtun land, so more bloodshed was intolerable.

He said the government should act for peace and provide security to the people.

In the Lower Dir district as well, the ANP staged a rally against the rising violence on the call of its provincial president, Mian Iftikhar Hussain.

Dozens of party workers, led by the district leadership, attended the demonstration, shouting slogans against the government over the recent Parachinar carnage.

The speakers, including ANP district president and former MPA Haji Bahadar Khan, senior vice president Malik Sajjad Yousafzai and leaders Malik Aftab and Mian Hazrat Hussain, criticised the federal and provincial governments over failure to protect public life in parts of the province.

They said Pakhtuns were being targeted under a “planned conspiracy” meant to turn the region into a war zone.

The ANP also observed a black day in Lakki Marwat and Bannu district.

Holding banners and placards, party workers and student activists gathered outside the press club building on the Old Kutcheri Road in Lakki city.

In Bannu, the ANP activists showed up outside the press club building to condemn the growing terrorist attacks in the province, especially the recent convoy bloodbath in Kurram tribal district.

ANP district president Naz Ali Khan Wazir, PSF district president Faizan and leaders Shah Qayaz Bacha, Malik Sohrab Khan Wazir, Malik Tahir Khan and Hikmat Pakhtoon said sectarian tensions were being fanned by vested interest in the region.

In Shangla district, the ANP demonstrated outside the Alpuri Press Club against the growing incidents of terrorism in the province.

Carrying placards and shouting slogans against terrorism and sectarian incidents, the protesters marched through the Alpuri bazaar.

ANP provincial deputy general secretary Mutawakkil Khan and other speakers said Pakhtuns could no longer tolerate Pakhtun bloodshed.

A demonstration against the Parachinar incident was also reported in Charsadda district.

The speakers, including ANP provincial vice president Qasim Ali Khan Mohammadzai and leader Shahzaduddin Taimur Khattak, criticised security agencies over the bad law and order situation in the province.

The ANP also held a demonstration in Bajaur tribal district, with participants demanding early, durable solution to the conflict in the Kurram tribal district.

They expressed sympathies for the families affected by the recent terrorist attacks.

Outside the Khar Press Club, the protesters shouted slogans for peace in the region.

They condemned the recent attacks on passenger vehicles in Kurram district.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2024