ISLAMABAD: Awami National Party President Asfandyar Wali Khan has expressed concern over what he termed marginalisation of the political parties which have been in the forefront in the war against terrorism.
“It is regrettable that a negative impression is being spread against the political forces which have been combating terrorism,” he said in a statement issued by ANP information secretary Zahid Khan on Tuesday.
The ANP chief said it was because of the sacrifices rendered by the leaders and workers of “three big political parties” that the terrorists were now on the run.
But, he regretted, instead of terrorists, political forces were being defamed.
The ANP chief did not name the three parties, but Zahid Khan said his party believed that besides it, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) also had a clear stance on the issue of terrorism and gave sacrifices in the war against terror.
Asfandyar Wali’s statement came a day after PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari had lashed out at the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) government for alleged victimisation of his party, particularly in Sindh.
The MQM legislators have also submitted their resignations over alleged victimisation of the party in the ongoing Rangers-led operation against criminals in Karachi.
The ANP chief said his party was against terrorism and corruption, but there was a need to treat the corrupt and terrorists separately.
He said the country was passing through trying times because on one hand, the armed forces were carrying out successful operations against terrorists but, on the other, the country’s borders had become unsafe from two sides.
The Awami National Party chief said India had launched aggression on the borders and was fanning terrorism in Pakistan.
In these circumstances, the nation was required to show complete unity, he added.
He alleged that PTI chief Imran Khan had held the sit-in only to divert the nation’s attention from the problems faced by the internally displaced persons. He accused the rulers of subjugating the national cause to their personal interests.
The Awami National Party chief called upon the prime minister to convene a joint sitting of parliament to discuss the issues confronting the country.
Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2015
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