PESHAWAR: Awami National Party, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president Mian Iftikhar Hussain said peaceful life has become a dream in the province, blaming what he described as state policies for further complicating the region’s security situation.
Addressing a ceremony organised by the Future Youth Parliament of Pakistan here on Saturday, he alleged that the federal and provincial governments were ‘watching the ongoing terrorism and unrest’ instead of taking effective measures to restore peace.
Mr Hussain claimed that the ‘masterminds’ of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were Punjabi Taliban.
He questioned how militants could enter the province from Afghanistan if the border were closed.
‘If terrorism is coming from Afghanistan, who is responsible for stopping it?’ he asked, adding that supporters and facilitators of terrorists were enemies of the country and should not be given any concession.
The ANP leader also questioned the province’s security situation, saying that while people in several districts felt unsafe, trucks carrying mineral resources were moving safely.
He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa generated electricity and gas but did not have controloverthese resources.
‘Whenever we speak about ourresources and rights, questions are raised about our patriotism,’ he said.
Mr Hussain maintained that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had the first right over the province’s resources and said his party would oppose attempts to deprive them of those resources.
He said Pakistan was a federation comprising different nationalities and ‘decisions of a single individual cannot be imposed on all nationalities’.
The ANP leader said his party would not allow the 18th Constitutional Amendment and the National Finance Commission Award to be rolled back and would resist any attempt to undermine provincial autonomy.
He said politicians, judges, journalists and generals were all subject to the Constitution and law. ‘Every institution must work within its constitutional limits,’ he said, adding that those who had violated the Constitution or committed injustices against the people should be held accountable.
Mr Hussain also accused some quarters of misleading the younger generation by teaching them what he called a ‘false history’. He urged young people to understand their rights and facts and play their role in strengthening constitutionalism, democracy and parliamentary supremacy.
He said the ANP’s politics was based on public service, peace, democracy and the rights of the people.
‘Whatever the circumstances, the Awami National Party will continue to represent the people,’ he said, adding that its struggle for peace, rights, provincial autonomy and control over resources would continue.