PESHAWAR: Speakers at a condolence reference here on Wednesday paid glowing tributes to Awami National Party former president for Mardan Haji Lateefur Rehman, who died of coronavirus last month.

Addressing the reference at Bacha Khan Markaz, ANP central senior vice president Ameer Haider Khan Hoti said that Haji Lateef was a true follower of Bacha Khan’s philosophy of nonviolence.

He said that the deceased worked sincerely for welfare of people in his area. He said that his services for welfare of people would be remembered.

ANP central general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain, provincial president Aimal Wali Khan, provincial general secretary Sardar Hussain Babak and provincial spokesperson Samar Haroon Bilour were also present on the occasion.

Mr Hoti also expressed concerns over the financial crisis of public sector universities and urged government to take appropriate steps for release of funds and solution of the issues faced by teachers and other employees of the universities.

He said that his party would support the protesting teachers if government did not resolve their issues.

He said that government was unable to provide salaries to the employees.

The ANP leader said that it was government’s responsibility to take care of the financial requirements of the universities. He also talked about lawlessness in Malakand division.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2021