MINGORA: After the Awami National Party`s defeat in Swat during the May 2013 general elections, another Pakhtun nationalist party, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, is now-a-days active in the district.

Central PkMAP Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai is in the district on a three days visit as part of efforts to strengthen the party.

On Friday, the first day of the visit, Mr Achakzai addressed a public meeting in Aligrama, where former PML-N, Swat general secretary Malik Riaz announced to join PkMAP along with family members and supporters, while on Saturday, he went to Khwazakhela to address a public meeting, where activists of various parties, including MohammadRashid Mian of PPP, Ghulam Sar Khan of ANP, Kaki Khan and Mohammad Said Khan, announced to join PkMAP along with family members and supporters.

During the Khwazakhela public meeting on Saturday, Mr Achakzai said Pakhtuns had been denied due right to resources since the creation of Pakistan but they would continue fighting for the said right by peaceful means.

He said the people of Swat had rendered scores of sacrifices for peace and stability of their area, so the government should ensure early resolution of their problems. The PkMAP chairman said introduction of real democracy was essential for restoration of peace in the country.

He said he could restore peace in the region with the help of 15 companions if he`s in power.Mr Achakzai called for unity among Pakhtuns to fight terrorism.

He said Pakhtuns had long been suffering from terrorism but even then, they were called terrorists.

The PkMAP chairman said peaceful Afghanistan was in the better interest of neighbouring countries.

He said the law and order situation in Pakistan would improve if peace was restored in Afghanistan.

Other speakers, including provincial PkMAP President Mukhtar Khan Yousafzai and District Secretary Khurshid Kaka Jee, said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had complete confidence in their party`s political struggle for the rights of Pakhtuns.

They said PkMAP workers should begin a door-to-door campaign in Swat to apprise the people of the message of unity.