SWABI, Nov 28: Awami National Party central chief Asfandyar Wali Khan has said that no one can wipe out Pakhtuns from their soil as they know how to defend their land.
“Pakhtuns want peace on their soil and they have been working for peace and tranquility in their region,” he told a big public gathering at Bacha Khan Hospital Complex in Shahmansoor here on Monday.The ANP chief said that armed forces were capable to counter external threat and no country should allow use of its territory for attacks against Pakistan.
“The Nato strike is an aggression against the country. We would defend our country with complete vigour and no one is allowed to violate our boundaries and attack our forces,” he said.
On the occasion, many workers of different parties from Buner and Mardan announced joining ANP. All key leaders of the party were present on the occasion.
“Our leaders and workers have rendered numerous sacrifices for the country's sovereignty and solidarity. The followers of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan are ready to lay down their lives for the motherland,” Mr Khan said.
He said that ANP fought against invaders and its leaders and workers played a leading role in fighting against the usurpers. He added that some elements hatched conspiracies against the democratic setup in the country. However, he did not elaborate.
He said that if he was reelected central president of the party, in the elections being held on Nov 30, he would ask ANP provincial chief Afrasiab Khattak to bring back annoyed workers to the party fold.
Addressing on the occasion, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti enumerated various achievements of his government, saying they succeeded on many fronts where previous governments had failed.
Referring to NFC award, he said that they had Rs40 billions in their exchequer that would be spent on the welfare of people. The ANP government succeeded to increase its share in oil and gas royalty from Rs330 millions to Rs16 billions, he said. “The provincial government has set up its own Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Oil and Gas Development Company,” Mr Hoti said.
He sanctioned the extension of Pehur High Level Canal, which was a longstanding demand of the people. He said that government allowed Rs30 million for its survey, which was expected to be completed within three months.
“After the survey, government will start work on the mega project, which will irrigate thousands kanals land in the district,” he added.
The chief minister said that he also sanctioned Rs580 million for the construction of 30 kilometres Topi-Utla Road. He said that the road would be named after Hanif Gul Jadoon, who was killed in a suicide attack on Eid day.
“The government has also provided Rs460 million for construction of Swabi Police Lines, which was attacked by the suicide bomber on November 1, 2010,” he said.
Mr Hoti said that Rs140 million were allocated for construction and repairing of Swabi-Mardan Road. About Razaar tehsil, he said that they allocated Rs220 million for the building of the new tehsil. The construction of the building was delayed because the fund was diverted to help flood survivors, he said.
He allocated Rs600 million for uplift schemes in six provincial assembly constituencies in the district.
Afrasiab Khattak, Minister for Zakat and Ushr Zar Shaid Khan and district president Haji Rehmanullah also spoke on the occasion.
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