PESHAWAR – Awami National Party (ANP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Mian Iftikhar Hussain demanded strict legal action against those responsible for the resettlement of terrorists, specifically naming former high-ranking officials.
Speaking to journalists at the Peshawar Press Club, Hussain addressed a wide range of critical issues alongside provincial leaders including Senior Vice President Syed Aqil Shah, spokesperson Arsalan Khan Nazim, and Joint Secretary Hamid Tufan. The session also welcomed the newly elected Peshawar Press Club President M. Riaz and General Secretary Alamgir Khan.
Accountability for National Action Plan Violations
Hussain delivered a scathing critique of past policy failures, tracing the roots of current instability back to the era of General Zia-ul-Haq. He asserted that authorities promoted terrorism during that period, signing agreements fueled by “a lust for dollars” and American interests—consequences the nation continues to endure today.
The ANP leader called for an immediate end to the friction between provincial and federal governments, which he claimed directly harms the Pashtuns. He emphasized that the government must implement the National Action Plan (NAP) in its entirety.
“Those who violated the Constitution and the National Action Plan must face severe punishment,” Hussain stated. He specifically called for the accountability of Faiz Hamid, Imran Khan, General (R) Bajwa, and Arif Alvi, alleging they facilitated the resettlement of terrorists within the country.
The Bilour Legacy: “Living Martyrs” of the National Movement
Clarifying recent reports regarding veteran leader Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, Hussain explained that Bilour has only stepped back from parliamentary politics, not political life itself.
Hussain lauded the Bilour family’s unparalleled sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, noting the martyrdom of Haji Bilour’s son, Shabbir Bilour, his brother, Bashir Bilour, and his nephew, Harun Bilour.
- Ideological Consistency: Hussain described Haji Bilour as the “essence of the national movement,” bridging the ideological gap from Bacha Khan and Khan Abdul Wali Khan to Asfandyar Wali Khan and Aimal Wali Khan.
- Resilience: Despite surviving multiple suicide attacks and enduring various imprisonments, Bilour remains a “Living Martyr” and a symbol of ideological steadfastness.
- Party Standing: He remains an active member of all ANP institutions, with the party leadership expressing immense pride in his “stainless” political career.
Regional Stability and Trade
Addressing the economic crisis in the province, Hussain urged the government to reopen trade routes with Afghanistan. He argued that while international and regional dynamics often dictate border closures, the brunt of the economic fallout falls squarely on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He reiterated that war offers no solutions; only sincere dialogue and a focus on national interest over foreign agendas can resolve the region’s deep-seated issues.
