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PESHAWAR, Sept 22: The Awami National Party (ANP) has condemned the murder attempt on Mohammad Afzal Khan Lala, an octogenarian politician from Swat Valley, and accused secret agencies of being behind the attack.
In a statement issued here on Saturday, the party alleged that the agencies were working against nationalist leaders across Pakistan.
ANP central information-secretary Zahid Khan said the attack on Mr Khan was aimed at removing committed nationalist leaders from political scene.
He warned that the ANP would respond in the same violent manner if any of its leaders was harmed by the agencies and their agents again.
He asked the attackers to respect the Pukhtun culture and traditions and refrain from attacking their elders. He lauded the services of Mr Khan.
Mr Khan suffered injuries in the attack that killed two others on Friday.
DEMONSTRATION: Meanwhile, the Swat Students’ Society (SSS), a Peshawar
University-based forum, demonstrated here on Saturday against the ambush on the ANPleader. They condemned the attack and termed it a cowardly act. SSS president Imran Khan Mirkhel spoke on the occasion.
Mr Mirkhel condemned the spate of suicide bombings in Swat and termed the attacks un-Islamic.
He said the suicide bombers were doing a disservice to humanity by killing innocent people. He demanded stern action against people involved in such terrorist activities.
In a statement, Haji Arshad Javed Gurwara of the Islahi Committee NWFP, also condemned the attack on Mr Afzal Khan and called upon the government to take stern action against criminals involved in the cowardly act.
