25th death anniversary of Bacha Khan
[22.Jan.2013 - 13:06]During a function held at Nishtar Hall to mark the 25th death anniversary of Bacha Khan and seventh of Abdul Wali Khan, Mr. Wali said terrorism was not the problem of his party only and rather, it was a national issue for whose resolution through a consensus among political forces, efforts were underway.
Of the country’s political groups, only ANP had a clear stand against terrorism.
“We have to find a permanent solution to the continued violence because it had stalled our national progress and development. Tell me will anyone be willing to invest money in the country with terrorist activities everywhere,” he said.
ANP Chief said all political parties should support his party in its mission against terrorism for peace.
“In the past, we had to mention the sacrifices of our leaders only on a few occasions but during the past four years; we have lost hundreds of workers and leaders. Despite all that, we are firm in our fight against terrorism,” he said.
Asfandyar Wali said: “It is our prime duty to fulfill the mission for which our friends laid lives. Our people have fought so bravely against terrorists that there was no such example in the history.”
He said efforts were underway to thwart the ANP-sponsored all party conference on terrorism but his party would continue persuading political leaders to develop a consensus opinion on how to counter terrorism.
The ANP president said the provincial government led by his party had successfully translated the dream of Bacha Khan and Abdul Wali Khan of Pakhtun empowerment into reality.
He said the province had been given its name for which Pakhtuns had struggled for decades.
Mr Wali said though opposed by rivals, ANP had been carrying out its responsibility for restoration of peace in the society so that the people could live their lives without fear.
“Bacha Khan’s philosophy of non-violence has gained global recognition after the 9/11 terrorist activities in the US. The international community has developed a consensus that weapons are no answer to conflicts, which can be tackled by dialogue only,” he said.
Provincial Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti, who was also in attendance, paid glowing tributes to services and sacrifices of Pakhtun leaders and said that presence of Iranian Consul General Hasan Darvesh Wnd here was the testimony that services, personality and sacrifices of Bacha Khan and struggle of Wali Khan Baba were not limited to this area rather the whole world revered it. He thanked Iranian Government and Consul General on his participation in happiness and grief of Pakhtuns.He said that we all companions of one home, thought and rorwali, however presence of Hasan Darvesh Wnd reflects. Iran and Iranian brothers respect on their hearts for Pakhtun Leaders.
He termed Peshawar as the strongest fort of ANP and said that ANP now existed as a strong political force in entire districts of province including Peshawar, Sawabi, Charsada and Mardan.
He said that presence of prominent families and elected representatives from Kohistan, Mansehra, Batagram, Haripur, Tank, Kohat, DI Khan and Karak in caravan of Bacha Khan was the testimony of the fact that ANP was the only active and vibrant party of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He paid Salam to greatness and sacrifices of Bashir Ahmad Bilour, Alamzeb, Dr. Shamsher Ali Khan, Mian Rashid Hussain and hundreds of party workers due to whom the caravan of Bacha Khan destined to its destiny. He said that children hospital was need of the hour and the government has allotted 20 kanal Land in front of RMI Hayat Abad Phase-V for this purpose where the foundation stone of Children Hospital will be laid. The hospital will comprise of 200 beds with state of the art treatment facilities for the children. He announced naming the hospital after Bashir Ahmad Bilour Shaheed on directives of his leader.
Ameer Haider Khan Hoti termed successes of ANP and present Governemnt as result of guidance of leaders, struggle of workers and support of the people. He reiterated for rendering any sort of sacrifices in following path of Bacha Khan and Abdul Wali Khan in any sort of difficult and testing times.
ANP provincial president Afrasiab Khattak and provincial information minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain also spoke on the occasion.