ANP President Calls for Better Treatment of Pukhtuns and Unity in Karachi

The President of the Awami National Party (ANP), Asfandyar Wali Khan, has called for an end to the mistreatment of Pukhtuns, urging both the government and political leaders to treat them with respect and fairness. Speaking at a gathering in Karachi, he also appealed to President Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto to show compassion toward the Pukhtuns residing in the city.

The event, organized by ANP to commemorate the death anniversaries of Baacha Khan and Abdul Wali Khan, was held at the historic Bagh-e-Jinnah, near the Mazar-e-Quaid. The event witnessed a large turnout of ANP workers, including women, who participated in processions leading to the venue.

In his speech, Asfandyar Wali Khan emphasized that the gathering was a tribute to the leadership of Baacha Khan and Wali Khan, who fought against British colonialism and advocated for non-violence. “Baacha Khan’s philosophy of non-violence is something we continue to follow today, and the legacy of Wali Khan is such that people conduct Ph.D.s on his life,” said Khan.

He also criticized the state of democracy in Pakistan, stating that elections have consistently been marred by rigging and the political system is compromised. “In every election, there has been rigging, and today, there is no democracy in Pakistan. Even in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where 90% of the vote was given, the opposition in the National Assembly is compromised,” he added.

Khan called out the political system for not being transparent, particularly in light of the rigged elections in 1985 and the violent atmosphere in 2013. He remarked that while people were fighting for their votes, others were being brought into the assemblies, compromising the true mandate of the people.

Speaking on Karachi, Asfandyar Wali Khan declared, “Karachi is a city for everyone, and no single nation can claim it as their own. It belongs to the Sindhis, Baloch, and all ethnic groups. No nation can be erased from this city.” He further urged political leaders like Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto to show kindness and understanding towards the Pukhtuns of Karachi.

In his closing remarks, he reiterated that the ANP stands for peace and democracy, having sacrificed its people for the cause. “We do not trade in the rights of our children or our resources,” he said. “The state must not mistreat Pukhtuns; if that continues, Karachi will not function smoothly.”

Khan further emphasized that the Pukhtuns, with their strength and resolve, do not need weapons but need the power of the pen to fight for their rights. “We have the power to shut down the whole country if necessary, because the key lies in the hands of my workers,” he added.

The event concluded with a call for unity, respect, and the restoration of true democratic values across the country.