SWABI: Peace is the prerequisite for economic progress and political stability of the country and the Awami National Party (ANP) leaders have played their role for peace even in the worst circumstances while sticking to the ‘non-violence’ philosophy of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan.

This was stated by ANP leaders while addressing participants of a peace walk here on Sunday. The party workers, including the National Youth Organisation (NYO), marched from the party’s main office to Karnal Sher Khan Chowk where their leaders addressed them. The speakers said that the philosophy of ‘non-violence’ of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was appreciated by various leaders and workers.

Shehryar Khan, acting district president, said that International Day of Peace was being observed around the world on Sept 21 and it would not be fair if they did not remember the great leader of Pakhtuns, Abdul Ghaffar Khan.

Mohammad Islam, general secretary of the party, said that every citizen should play his role for promotion of peace, which was the need of every state and human being. Former MNA Pervaiz Khan said that on this day Bacha Khan’s followers wanted to give a message to the neighbours of Pakistan that peace in South Asia would guarantee the progress and prosperity of the whole region.

Holds walk in connection with International Day of Peace

Tauseef Khan, NYO district president, said that youth leaders and workers were ready to play their role in promotion of peace. Hidayatullah, NYO general secretary, said that that they were united to defeat militancy because peace was a prerequisite for human development.

SEARCH OPERATION: In the wake of terrorist attack on Darran police post the district police carried out a search in Sheikh Jana, Ahad Khan, Speen Kani, Gangu Dher, Shewa, Parmuli and Asota villages.

Lady constables and bomb disposal squad officials also participated in the operation conducted under the supervision of senior police officials. Houses of the proclaimed offenders and other alleged criminals were raided. The police also raided Tarakai mountainous regions and arrested one Sabir Shah, a resident of Shabqadar, district Charsadda, and allegedly recovered 47 detonators, safety fuse, prima card and dynamite from his possession.

However, the police could not get any clue to the suspected militants who attacked the Darran police post on Sept 16.

A police official admitted that militants had carried our several activities during last few years in Razar tehsil. “At present, they are on the run,” he claimed.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd , 2014