PESHAWAR – Awami National Party (ANP) leader Aimal Wali Khan accused the state of orchestrating the killing of religious scholar Maulana Khan Zaib in Bajaur. He said a death squad carried out the assassination in broad daylight and fled using routes where all CCTV cameras had vanished.
At a press conference in Peshawar, Aimal Wali Khan said a high-level think tank met after the murder. “We believe the state planned Molana Khan Zaib’s killing,” he stated. He added that no federal or provincial official visited the bereaved family for condolence, despite the gravity of the attack.
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He also criticized what he called double standards in recognizing martyrdom. “In Pakistan, a Sikh gets declared a martyr officially, but our religious scholar doesn’t,” he said.
Gunmen shot Molana Khan Zaib in Bajaur. ANP leaders described it as a targeted killing. The incident shocked the region and fueled fears about worsening security. ANP linked the murder to its stance on provincial rights and autonomy.
Aimal Wali Khan announced plans to write to the prime minister. He demanded a judicial commission headed by the chief justice. He also called for the inclusion of one of Maulana Khan Zaib’s family members in the probe. “If they ignore our demands, we will raise this issue on international platforms,” he warned.
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He vowed not to compromise on the 18th and 25th constitutional amendments. “We will never accept a rollback. If pushed to the wall, we will resist — not plead,” he said. He reaffirmed ANP’s commitment to peace, provincial autonomy, and control over resources in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Aimal Wali Khan also announced an all-parties conference (APC) on the current political and security situation in both provinces. “We will join hands with Pakhtuns in Balochistan to protect our democratic and constitutional rights,” he said.
He condemned what he described as systematic attacks on ANP. “If someone quits the party, they live in peace. But those who stand for peace and autonomy face attacks from every side,” he said. He reaffirmed that ANP would continue fighting for people’s rights, defend constitutional gains, and seek accountability through legal means.
