PESHAWAR: The workers of Awami National Party held a demonstration here on Wednesday to protest the killing of their local leader in Swat Syed Jamshed Ali Khan and other colleagues killed during the recent months.

The protesters threatened to stage sit-ins outside Chief Minister’s House and Governor’s House of if targeted killings of ANP workers continued. They said that after losing around 800 workers and leaders, ANP was still a target for terrorists. “The party following the philosophy of non-violence says enough is enough,” they said.

Speaking on the occasion, ANP general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that targeted killings of ANP workers under the cover of poor law and order should be stopped. He said that the way the federal and provincial governments distanced themselves from the people of the province and Fata was disappointing. The party workers were forced to hold a peaceful protest since the party followed philosophy of non-violence, he added.

The ANP leaders, who joined the protest, were of the view that if it was terrorism then why only ANP workers and leaders were targeted while others walked freely and held gatherings and public meetings. They chanted slogans against the targeted killing of ANP workers.

Threatens to stage sit-ins outside CM House, Governor’s House

They demanded of the federal and provincial government to ensure protection to every citizen. They criticised the behaviour of the government regarding the recent killing of Jamshed Ali Khan in Swat.

In a press release, ANP provincial president Ameer Haider Khan Hoti also condemned the killings of party workers and expressed his regrets as to how a party, which followed the philosophy of non-violence, was forced to hold a protest.

In a separate press, ANP central president Asfandyar Wali Khan demanded a thorough investigation into the Panama leaks involving the family of Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif.

He said that government just tried to hoodwink the people by announcing a judicial commission. Instead the matter should be investigated in a transparent manner through a trust-worthy body in a comprehensive manner, he added.

Our Correspondent adds from Mardan: The local chapter of ANP organised a demonstration to protest the killing of its Swat leader.

The protesters, led by ANP district president Himayatullah Mayar, gathered outside Mardan Press Club and chanted slogans against the provincial government for its failure to protect people.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mayar said that provincial government failed to restore peace and normalcy in the province. “Incidents of target killing and extortion have become a routine in the province,” he alleged.

Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2016