PESHAWAR, March 7: The Pakistan People’s Party (Sherpao) has underlined the need for launching a joint struggle against fanaticism and terrorism.

PPP information secretary Syed Kamal Shah, in a statement issued here on Wednesday, urged the Awami National Party leaders to refrain from issuing vitriolic statements against PPP president Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, who, being interior minister, was playing a major role in the war on fanaticism and terrorism in the country.

He said Mr Sherpao had defended himself in courts, which had exonerated him in various bogus cases.

He said courts had set him (Sherpao) free, while the same courts had awarded punishment to a relative of ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan on corruption charges, who later got himself bailed out after having a deal with the government.

He said on the one hand the ANP had declared fanaticism as a threat to Pukhtuns, on the other it was using indecent language against Mr Sherpao.

He said the ANP, which dubbed itself as a progressive and enlightened force, should side with the forces struggling against fanaticism. He said Mr Sherpao wanted to see pens rather than guns in the hands of Pukhtun children so that they could make progress in all fields.