February 23, 2008	Saturday	Safar 15, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Feb 22: Awami National Party (ANP) president Asfandyar Wali Khan said on Friday the ANP would support other parties in forming a government which would change the policy on war on terrorism and stop what he called the spilling of Pakhtoon blood on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

During a meeting with US Ambassador Anne W. Patterson at her residence, Mr Wali said his party had waged a struggle for the independence of judiciary, sovereignty of parliament and freedom of media and it would support any party at the Centre which stood for these principles.

The US Ambassador said that her country was watching with great interest the talks being held between parties for formation of a democratic government.

In the meeting, which lasted one and a half hours, the American diplomat felicitated Mr Khan on his party electoral success and hoped it would go long way in galvanising progressive forces.

The ANP chief informed her that the success of his party had proved beyond any doubt that the Pakhtoon people wanted peace on their soil.

Ms Patterson told Mr Asfandyar that he and his party were followers of great Pakhtoon leader Abdul Ghaffar Khan who throughout his life struggled for non-violence and peace. ANP secretary information Zahid Khan said the party chief had explained ANP’s stand that judiciary should be independent.

Asked whether he had talked on restoration of the deposed chief justice and other judges, Mr Khan said: “We always talk about strengthening institutions instead of mentioning personalities.”