MINGORA: Awami National Party general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain has alleged that Imran Khan is supporting terrorists as they paved the way for Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf during the May 2013 general elections to form government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Addressing a press in Matta here on Wednesday, he said that provincial government had left the workers of ANP at the mercy of terrorists. “The government is not serious in eliminating terrorism and as a result terrorists are reorganising in the province” he added.

Mr Hussain said that ANP had fought against terrorism and restored peace in district Swat where its workers were being assassinated in the incidents of targeted killing.

“We will not remain silent over the killings of our workers,” he said and added that ANP workers were being punished by terrorists as they had worked for restoration of peace in the province, particularly Swat and other district of Malakand division.

The ANP leader said that provincial government failed to provide security to people. ANP would soon sort out strategy to handle the situation, he added.

Mr Hussain said that Imran Khan and his party leaders should take steps for resolving issues being faced by the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas instead of doing the politics of sit-in.

The ANP leader said that it was the responsibility of government to provide relief and assistance to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of North Waziristan. If the affected people were ignored at difficult time, they might get involved in negative activities after returning to their homes, he added.

Mr Hussain said that ANP would not support any unconstitutional step. He said that ANP would support all the acts that were aimed at strengthening democracy in the country. “If prime minister intends to take some important decisions, he must call the all-party conference to consult with the political leadership of the country,” he added.

To a question, the ANP leader said that those seeking midterm elections for solution of the political crisis failed to hold local government elections in the province.

“PTI claimed to bring changes in 90 days and hold local government elections within three months, but it failed to do so,” Mr Hussain said.

Published in Dawn, October 9th , 2014