PESHAWAR: The Awami National Party has demanded a judicial probe into the targeted killing of its leader, Maulana Khan Zeb, in the Bajaur tribal district to bring the culprits to justice.

Addressing a news conference at the Bacha Khan Markaz here on Tuesday, ANP central president Senator Aimal Wali Khan said that Maulana Khan Zeb was assassinated for the only reason to work for peace in the region.

Accompanied by former chief minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti and senior party leader Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, Mr Aimal warned that if his party’s demand for judicial commission into the murder was not taken seriously, then it would launch street protests and “appeal to the international community for justice.”

He said the demand was made after thorough discussion in the party.

Threatens to stage protests, approach international community for justice

The ANP leader said a judicial commission, led by the chief justice of Pakistan, should investigate Maulana Zeb’s assassination.

He insisted that the commission should include a member of the slain leader’s family to ensure transparency.

Mr Aimal expressed concern over the growing incidence of targeted killings of ANP workers and demanded that the culprits be brought to justice.

He questioned the withdrawal of security from his party’s workers and said that it was unclear why the party was being targeted.

The ANP leader announced that if a judicial commission was not formed, the party would launch protests and approach the international community for support in seeking justice.

He said that the continuous killing of innocent people in the Pakhtun region, especially from Waziristan to Bajaur tribal districts, had created serious unrest among residents.

“The people are asking me to announce a ‘war’ to counter targeted killings. We will soon arrange multi-party conferences at the provincial and federal level to discuss the issue and devise an effective strategy for the protection of our people,” he said.

Mr Aimal said that the party would not be intimidated by threats or violence and would continue to demand justice for Maulana Zeb’s assassination.

He said that his party’s stand on constitutional amendments would not change despite pressure.

The ANP leader said that his party had been facing serious issues but never succumbed to any pressure.

He also complained about the killing of the party’s senior leaders and workers in different districts and said that those wanting to pressure the ANP through acts of violence would not succeed.

Mr Aimal rejected claims that the terrorist groups, including so-called Islamic State Khorasan or Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, were involved in the killing of Maulana Zeb.

He said that the state should ensure transparent inquiry into the assassination.

The ANP chief said that the removal of closed-circuit television cameras soon after the Bajaur killing was a matter of serious concern.

He also said that his party’s stand for the protection of 18th and 25th constitutional amendments was based on principles.

Mr Aimal said that nobody could pressure the ANP into abandoning its principles and that was proved during its campaign against the mines and mineral bill.

“We know how our workers are intimidated, but we will never surrender,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2025