ANP Condemns Targeted Killing of Maulana Khanzeb, Announces Three-Day Mourning

Quetta, Pakistan:The Awami National Party (ANP) has strongly condemned the brutal targeted killing of Maulana Khanzeb, the party’s central secretary for religious affairs, in Bajaur. In a provincial statement, ANP announced a three-day mourning period in honor of the late Maulana, who was not only a senior leader of the party but also a prominent advocate for peace, development, and the rights of the people in the merged districts.

Maulana Khanzeb had been actively engaged in the fight against lawlessness, land grabs, and the plundering of resources in the newly merged areas. He had consistently raised concerns about the rising terrorist activities in these regions, attributing them to the resettlement of around 40,000 extremists. Despite these warnings, both the government and state authorities continued to overlook the mounting threats, the party lamented.

The ANP further highlighted that Maulana Khanzeb, from the very beginning, had been deeply inspired by the philosophy of Bacha Khan, the renowned Pashtun nationalist leader. As a religious scholar, he played a vital role in guiding the community through discussions, study circles, and assemblies, promoting intellectual development among students. His leadership in organizing peace rallies in Bajaur made him a prominent voice for peace in the region, and his tragic assassination is seen as an attempt by anti-peace forces to silence the demand for justice and security.

“The targeted killing of Maulana Khanzeb is not only a blow to the peace efforts in Pashtun regions but also an outcome of the imposed instability meant to loot the resources of Pashtun areas and attract investments for exploitation,” the statement read.

In this dark hour, the ANP expressed its heartfelt condolences to the family of Maulana Khanzeb and the workers of the party in Balochistan and Pashtun areas. The party pledged to continue its efforts in upholding the values Maulana Khanzeb stood for, ensuring that his legacy of advocating for peace, justice, and prosperity lives on.

The ANP announced that the three-day mourning will serve as a mark of respect for the late leader, who has left behind an indelible impact on the political landscape of the region.