ANP leader urges govt to open all trade routes with Afghanistan

PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain on Friday called for opening all the trade and travel routes with Afghanistan.

In a statement, he said Islamabad should revisit its foreign policy besides taking steps to improve relations with neighbours. He said the Pakhtuns land was rich in natural resources, adding that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produced natural gas and generated cheap electricity from water. The Pakhtuns should be given control over their resources, calling for provincial autonomy, he added.

The ANP leader also demanded steps to restore viable peace on the land of the Pakhtuns. Mian Iftikhar said the previous government of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf set free over 100 dreaded terrorists and facilitated the resettlement of over 40,000 militants along with their families in the province.

He linked the resurgence of the acts of terrorism to the return of the militants. He said that acts of terror were taking place in all parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from Swat to Waziristan. The ANP leader said the worsening law and order indicated that the Parliament and other stakeholders had not been taken into confidence, which led to deterioration in the security situation.

“We are the followers of Bacha Khan. We believe that all issues should be addressed through talks,” he said, adding the then ANP government held talks with the militants in the Malakand Division to ensure the restoration of peace. The ANP leader maintained that the ANP had to bear the brunt of the military operations against the militants. Mian Iftikhar said the state should review the situation carefully and avoid making the past mistakes. He said the Pakhtuns should be protected as they were facing the backlash of militancy. The ANP would continue striving for the rights of the province, he added.