PESHAWAR: A Picture is worth a thousand words. The wrinkled face of veteran politician Begum Naseem Wali Khan is a contrast to the young ones grinning and betraying their political ambitions. The picture clearly shows who is getting the most out of this politico-family compromise. There is no political worker in picture and it is an exclusive family photo.

The family reunion photo taken in Wali Bagh, Charsadda comprising current and future political leaders of Awami National Party doesn’t have any diehard worker or Khudai Khidmatgar (follower of Bacha Khan) not even in the background. Not even the stormy character, who had always been thundering beside once most powerful lady in the party. The dynastic politics would continue in the land of Khans.

While the Khans of Charsadda rejoice this reunion, the ANP secretariat issued a statement saying all those workers, who were part of ANP-Wali, would be welcomed due to its merger into ANP except Fareed Toofan, an old companion of Begum Naseem Wali Khan.

Fareed Toofan, who had been banned some 10 years ago, has completed his term but he is still not welcomed in the party. ANP workers believe that he was the main instigator behind all the family differences. Having Toofan’s example in mind, the ANP workers prove the Pashto saying “Khan (feudal lord) is good but his dogs are treacherous” correct. They can reconcile with Begum Naseem Wali Khan but not her companion.

Fareed Toofan left out of ANP despite reconciliation between Begum Naseem and Asfandyar

Freed Toofan, on the other hand, has not made up his mind as what to do next since ANP-Wali has been merged into ANP and his leader has abandoned her.

How times change, one wonders. Begum Naseem is not what she used to be anymore.

“I think party should reconcile estranged party workers too. It should not ban workers and welcome all,” says a staunch party worker.

For about four years, Begum Naseem, the wife of Abdul Wali Khan and a powerful politician of her time, stayed upset with ANP and its leadership.

The lady, who made history in 1977 as the first woman elected from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on general seat in the elections, had a shock when she was refused Senate ticket in 2012. Old age was cited as reason for this refusal.

In retaliation, she formed her own ANP-Wali party. The ANP-Wali party may not have been vigorous but it did provide a forum to opponents to damage ANP.

Party sources say that ‘doctrine of necessity’ might be the reason the family’s young aspirant politicians might have brokered this truce between the elderly stepmother and son. Others say women family members earnestly wanted this reconciliation since it was also the tradition of Pakhtuns.

Sources reject any terms and conditions for this political-cum-family reconciliation.

Begum Naseem lost her own son Sangeen Wali Khan but she might see her grandson Lawangeen Khan as her political heir. Aimal Khan, political heir of Asfandyar Wali Khan, on the other hand might be vying for contesting the upcoming elections as he is already active in politics.

The family reconciliation is timely as it ensures Aimal Khan might contest in future without any opposition from within his close relatives, sources say.

Lawangeen Khan, politically not active, may also gain from this opportunity as he could be given ticket for the next elections and politically owned by the ANP family.

As Wali Bagh is busy burying the hatchet and prepping the young politicians for coming contests, it is still a puzzle as only election gains or losses would define if the power is centered in Charsadda or Mardan. So far dynastic politics continues and political workers are welcoming this reunion.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2017