January 30, 2007	Tuesday	Muharram 10, 1428

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LAKKI MARWAT, Jan 29: Awami National Party’s provincial president Bashir Ahmad Bilour has urged Pakhtuns to forge unity in their ranks and to strengthen his party so that the NWFP may get its rights.

Speaking on Monday at a public meeting in Landiwah, some 45 kilometres from here, Mr Bilour alleged that Pakhtuns were being killed in Afghanistan and tribal areas in the cover of eliminating Taliban.

“President Gen Musharraf’s declaration that the Taliban are more dangerous than Al Qaida is enough proof that conspirators are trying to divert the war on terror to the Pakhtun nation,” he maintained.

He said convening a “loya jirga” was the only way to solve the Afghanistan issue because war and military operations always created hatred among people and led to disasters, rather than solving conflicts.

He criticised the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal for failing to honour its promises made during election campaigns regarding enforcing Shariah in the province.

He also criticised policies of the Gen Pervez Musharraf government and said the MMA had not only been instrumental in prolonging the rule of Gen Musharraf, but it had also supported the 17th amendment to the Constitution.

He called upon people to reject the so-called Khans and religious leaders in the next general election and vote for the ANP to ensure progress in the province.

On this occasion, renowned local politician Hamidullah Khan announced joining the ANP. Provincial party general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain, information secretary Syed Aaqil Shah, Ahmad Farooq Khan, Salamat Khan Orakzai, district president Sadruddin, general secretary Latifullah Khan, information secretary Mohammad Zubair Marwat, Allah Nawaz Khan, Imranullah Khan Marwat and other party leaders also spoke on the occasion.