PESHAWAR: Awami National Party has urged the leaders of Pakistan and Afghanistan to put their heads together to devise a joint strategy for restoring lasting peace in the militancy-stricken region.

Addressing a ceremony held in connection with the first birth anniversary of Bashir Ahmad Bilour at Nishtar Hall here on Sunday, ANP leader Asfandyar Wali Khan advised the rulers of both the countries to stem the tide of terrorism through a comprehensive strategy.

Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, Haji Mohammad Adeel, Ameer Haider Khan Hoti, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, Bashir Ahmed Matta and Abdul Latif Afridi also spoke on the occasion.

“We too want an end to drone attacks but we are also opposed to the movement of militants alongside the Pakistan’s border and their sanctuaries in tribal areas,” Mr Khan said.

He said that it was not understandable that on one hand Imran Khan condemned violation of airspace by the US while on the other he was silent on territorial violation of the country.

He said that their party staged a protest rally when US drone attacked Damadola area of Bajaur Agency that showed that they opposed the drone strikes since long.

Regarding division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and creating of Hazara Province, he said his party would never accept division of the province. “How one can justify the demand of a single district, comprising only Abbottabad and a part of Haripur,” he added.

The ANP leader said that they were trying to unite Pakhtuns. He also made it clear that the Kalabagh dam project was opposed by Sindh and KP assemblies and couldn’t be allowed at any cost.

Mr Khan paid glowing tributes to Bashir Ahmad Bilour and termed him a brave commander of Bacha Khan and Khan Abdul Wali Khan.

Speaking on the occasion, Ghulam Bilour appealed to Taliban to shun violence and stop killing of Pakhtuns. He said that a day was fixed for death and he didn’t fear about his life but he was fearful about those Pakhtuns, who were killing their brothers.

Mr Bilour said that few days ago his death, Bashir Bilour had advised his wife not to see his face if he received injuries in his back and see his face if his chest was targeted.