PESHAWAR, Dec 16: The Awami National Party has reiterated that it will strive for provincial autonomy and rename the NWFP as Pukhtunkhwa.
Releasing his party’s manifesto at the Peshawar Press Club on Sunday, ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan underlined measures aimed at creating unity among the Pukhtuns, including efforts for provincial autonomy and merger of the tribal areas with the province.
He said the ANP would not enter into an electoral alliance or seat adjustment with other parties in the election.
According to the seven-page manifesto, the party believes that the army should defend the country’s frontiers and it should be kept away from politics.
“Our party will put in efforts for the establishment of peace, prosperity and a liberal society, where all people can express themselves fearlessly,” Mr Khan said. He said his party’s history was replete with unmatched sacrifices rendered by its leaders and workers to see supremacy of parliament and the Constitution, provincial rights, rule of law and free media.
“We strongly condemn the treatment meted out to the judiciary by the Musharraf-led government. We stand by the deposed honourable judges and members of the print and electronic media in these trying times,” he said.
The senator criticised the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal’s provincial government for not raising voice against the killing of Pukhtuns by the army and US forces in the so called war on terrorism.
He urged the Pukhtuns to reject Pro-Musharraf forces and the MMA’s candidates, holding them “equally responsible for killing of innocent tribesmen”.
According to the manifesto, copies of which were distributed in Urdu and English, the ANP will support all the forces working for the reinstatement of the deposed judges and revival of the Constitution of 1973 in its original form.
While demanding merger of tribal areas with the province, it says special provision should be incorporated into the Constitution if needed to ensure implementation of the legal and administrative changes according to tribal traditions and culture.
He said the Frontier Crimes Regulation should be amended according to the will of tribesmen and the Political Parties Act should be extended to Fata.
