ANP calls for prudence to deal with prevailing crises

PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) provincial President Mian Iftikhar Hussain on Saturday said the political parties should not facilitate the ongoing tussle between state institutions and should play a role in promoting democracy and rule of law.

Talking to media persons at Bacha Khan Markaz here before leaving for Bannu, he said the judiciary and establishment were at daggers drawn which would not only affect other state institutions but also the general public.

The ANP delegation led by Mian Iftikhar left for Bannu where they would express solidarity with those who had staged a march for the restoration of peace in their areas.

The delegation will visit hospitals to inquire after the health of those who were injured in Friday’s incident.

Mian Iftikhar said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly southern districts, had been facing worsening law and order since long, however, the situation deteriorated over the last two months where local elders, politicians and personnel of law enforcement agencies were being targeted by unidentified armed men.

“The government was responsible for protecting the participants of the peace rally in Bannu but a deliberate attempt was made to create chaos and unrest among the peaceful protestors,” he said.

Condemning the firing at the rally, he said the ANP demanded an impartial inquiry into the incident.

Calling for doing away with the concept of good or bad terrorists, he demanded all anti-state elements and militants must be dealt with an iron hand.

“The Pakhtuns are once again being pushed towards a war-like situation,” he said, adding the fresh military operation should be launched after taking the Parliament and all stakeholders, including people of KP, into confidence.