PESHAWAR: Arsalan Khan, the member of a known political family of Peshawar City, joined Awami National Party in the presence of its leaders and workers at a crowded gathering here on Tuesday evening.

ANP provincial president Ameer Haider Khan Hoti welcomed him into the party.

Arsalan Khan, who launched his political career by joining ANP his family and 40 of his cousins, hails from the family of Lala Ayub, a known Khudai Khidmatgar.

Arsalan Khan would continue his family’s tradition of its association with the nationalist party for almost fourth generation.

He is closely related to Niaz Ali Shah, who was special assistant to chief minister during ANP government. Former provincial minister Aqil Shah, also his close relative, was also present at the joining ceremony held in a local hotel.

“After assessing performance of all the political parties, I found ANP to be the true representative of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” said Arsalan Khan.

He added that ANP was a political forum on which he could serve his people.

He also praised ANP for inspiring him to join politics as it was the only party, which fought terrorism in the province bravely.

“It was not the family association but philosophy of non-violence of Bacha Khan which inspired me to join politics,” said Arsalan Khan.

Mr Hoti, who welcomed the new entrant into the party, highlighted efforts of ANP for development of the province despite hardships and hurdles like terrorism.

He also criticised the ruling PTI for what he called failing the people of the province. He said that PTI leader was inaugurating projects, which were initiated by the ANP government.

He particularly mentioned a recent hydro project inaugurated by PTI chief Imran Khan in Chitral and said that it was approved by the ANP government.

ANP senior leader Haji Ghulam Bilour also addressed the gathering and talked about importance of merger of tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2017