PESHAWAR, March 14: Awami National Party president Asfandyar Wali Khan has expressed apprehensions that the fallout of the guerrilla warfare in Afghanistan could spell disaster for Pakistan.

“A well organised guerrilla movement is in progress in parts of Afghanistan along the Durand Line. Militants are getting arms and sanctuaries. The government should re-assess its policy, otherwise the consequences will be very serious for the country,” Mr Khan said at a press conference on Tuesday.

“The government should re-assess its policy, otherwise we will force it to do so,” he maintained.

Expressing concern over the situation in Waziristan and Balochistan, he said that after Afghanistan, the Taliban phenomenon was rapidly engulfing the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and the NWFP.

“Who is providing sanctuaries and from where are terrorists getting weapons to carry out attacks inside Afghanistan?” he asked.

“All Pukhtuns should struggle for their survival and stop this war,” he said.

Pakistan and Afghanistan, he said, should evolve a joint strategy to curb militancy.

He, however, expressed concern about the federal government’s Afghan policy and alleged its hand in fuelling lawlessness in Afghanistan.

“We must show courage to resolve this issue, otherwise the situation will go from bad to worse,” he observed.

The ANP leader said peace in Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan and a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan was in Afghanistan’s interest.

He said both countries should resolve the issue on reciprocal basis.

He alleged that some elements in the establishment were disturbing the situation in the region, particularly Fata.

“After Afghanistan, Talibanisation was brought to Waziristan and then Bajaur Agency was targeted. Settled areas of the NWFP are their next target, while in some areas like Tank, Dera Ismail Khan and Swat extremist elements have already penetrated,” he remarked.

He said that Hujra served as an institution of learning in the Pukhtun society but the institution had been destroyed. He said the traditional institution would be strengthened to block extremism and weaken the influence of the clergy.

He said seminaries were receiving funds from abroad, particularly the Middle East.

He urged the government to block supply line of ‘petro dollars’ to seminaries.

About the presence of foreign militants in the North and South Waziristan agencies, Mr Khan said Wazir, Mahsud and Dawar tribesmen had not brought foreigners to the region, they were the establishment’s guests.

He said innocent tribesmen were being victimised in the military operation.

He asked the interior minister to release the list of foreigners killed or arrested during the operation.

He said use of excessive force and Cobra helicopters had caused widespread damage in Waziristan.

He said President Pervez Musharraf was repeating policies of his predecessors which had resulted in the fall of Dhaka.

He said Gen Musharraf was offering dialogue to India but refusing to negotiate with Baloch leaders.

He called for granting autonomy to the federating units.

He urged the Supreme Court chief justice to take suo motu action against horse trading in the Senate elections.

On the occasion, Pakistan People’s Party (Sherpao) leader Ghani Dad Khan announced joining the ANP.