CHARSADDA: Awami National Party central chief Aimal Wali Khan has said that no one will be able to run affairs of the country if mandate of his party is stolen again.

Addressing party workers here in connection with death anniversaries of founder of Khudai Khidmatgar Tehreek Bacha Khan and Khan Abdul Wali Khan, he alleged that mandate of ANP was stolen during the last three general elections but they remained silent for the sake of democracy, Pakistan and system. However, they said that it would be a complete disaster if anyone blocked their way again.

ANP district president Shakeel Bashir Khan Omarzai, general secretary Shahzaduddin and others also addressed the gathering.

Aimal Wali said that Imran Khan’s party was demanding opening of nine constituencies of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where PTI had lost elections. “I challenge them that one National Assembly constituency, Charsadda, should also be included in these nine constituencies which will prove that how polls were rigged and PTI was brought to power in Pakhtunkhwa,” he added.

Aimal Wali suggests following of non-violence policy for restoration of peace

He said that it was a strange logic that elections were rigged in those areas where PTI had lost and it was a mandate where it had won. “We have contested elections with them and we know well that where the mandate has been stolen. In the general elections, we are competing with aliens and boots instead of humans,” he added.

The ANP leader said during the 2013 elections, they were offering funerals of their workers and their opponents were free to contest elections. He said that in 2018, their mandate was snatched by installing RTS. However, in the 2023 elections, the mandate of the nation was sold by taking billions of rupees, he alleged.

Aimal Wali said that ANP rally would be held on February 4 in Karak in any case. “Nobody can stop us from holding rallies. Even if district administration cancels the NOC 100 times, I will come to Karak and hold the rally in any case,” he said.

He said implementation of Bacha Khan’s philosophy of non-violence was indispensable for restoration of peace. He said that services of Wali Khan for true democracy in Pakistan were as clear as daylight.

Speaking on the occasion, ANP provincial president Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that it was not a wise decision to wage war against Afghanistan. “Fighting Afghanistan will destroy Pakistan and Pakhtuns, which is unacceptable to us. If there is a war, Pakhtuns will suffer losses on both sides of the Durand Line. Both countries should respect each other’s sovereignty at all costs,” he added.

He said that Pakhtuns were in the crosshairs of terrorism. “We want to end it at all costs. Terrorists have formally announced organisations for every district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he claimed.

Mr Hussain said that Pakhtuns had been dying owing to flawed policies of rulers for the last 40 years. “In the past, our leaders pointed out these mistakes but they were not listened to,” he added. He said that they were again warning rulers not repeat the same mistakes.

He said that ANP supported free journalism and would always stand for it. He said that Peca Act was actually “Phika Act”. He said freedom of expression was the right of every citizen. He said that ANP would not accept any restriction on freedom of expression.

“We want to tell the world that Bacha Khan’s ideology must be adopted to establish peace. Thanks to the sacrifices of Khudai Khidmatgars that the rulers are enjoying powers in Pakistan today. If our great leaders had not made sacrifices, the British would still be ruling this land,” he added.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2025