07 March 2005	Monday	25 Muharram 1426

KARACHI, March 6: The country is passing through a critical period and any move by our rulers to impose the will of Punjab against the decision of the other three provinces could cause an irreparable loss to the country , the responsibility of which would lie on the shoulders of the rulers.

This was stated by chief of the Awami National Party Asfandyar Wali Khan, who was addressing a big public meeting on Sunday at the Bacha Khan Chowk. The meeting was organized by the party's Sindh chapter in connection with the 17th death anniversary of Bacha Khan, founder of the party.

Others who spoke at the meeting were Rana Gul Afridi, Amin Khattak, Bashir Jan, Haji Nizamuddin Kakar, Farooq Bangash, Noorullah Achakzai, Wakeel Swati, Qasim Jan and others. It was presided over by its provincial president, Shahi Syed. They paid rich tributes to Bacha Khan for his contribution to the freedom struggle and for betterment of the life of the common man, and pledged to continue with his mission.

Participants, who had come from various parts of the city and the province, were holding party flags, placards and portraits of Bacha Khan, Wali Khan, and Begum Nasim Wali Khan.

Referring to Kalabagh Dam, Asfandyar Wali Khan said it was a sensitive issue and the rulers had to choose between Pakistan and the Kalabagh Dam. He said the resolutions adopted by three provincial assemblies were being ignored only to appease Punjab, but assured that no one would be allowed to impose Kalabagh Dam on them, saying it could be built only over their bodies.

He pointed out that an army operation was being launched against the Wazir tribes, which was earlier against the Mehsood tribes.

The nationalist leader said this was despite the fact that the Taliban were not the products of the Pakhtoon society, as all those who had come here from Morocco to Indonesia were guests of the establishment and not of the Pakhtoons.

He said the establishment should deal with their guests themselves otherwise they would have to pay the price for the excesses committed against the tribal people.

Mr Asfandyar called upon the Pakhtoons to unite to save their land before others take possession over it. He said at present the issue was not of sowing wheat or sugarcane on our land, but to save it.

Demanding autonomy for provinces, he advised the rulers not to repeat past mistakes like that of 1971, as the language being used about the situation in Balochistan was no different from what was used by our rulers in 1971 in East Pakistan. The only difference, he said was that Gen Yahya was in power at that time, while it was Gen Musharraf now, adding the outcome of any wrong move would; however, be the same.

Shahi Syed in his speech recalled the plight of the Pakhtoons in the province and said it was time for all to unite under the banner of the ANP to get their rights. Other speakers highlighted problems being faced by people in backward areas for want of civic amenities, particularly in Pakhtoon settlements. They criticized attitude of the authorities for ignoring their localities.

On this occasion, resolutions were also adopted condemning the soaring prices and deterioration in law and order situation.