PESHAWAR: Awami National Party president Asfandyar Wali Khan said on Tuesday that followers of Bacha Khan were striving under the banner of party’s red flag to secure their rights.

He made the remarks on the occasion of the 91th anniversary of the Spin Tangi massacre in Bannu.

Mr Asfandyar said ANP was the continuation of the Bacha Khan’s political struggle.

He added the British colonialists had murdered more than 80 peaceful Khudai Khidmatgars, saying body of Qazi Fazl Qadir, one of those died in the firing, was not handed over to his heirs, and buried inside the Bannu jail.

Mr Asfandyar said Khudai Khidmatgars neither resorted to violence nor backed off from their political struggle.

He said Bacha Khan’s followers still stood firm on his path of non-violence and were struggling for their rights. He said that ANP was the heir of Bacha Khan’s legacy and would continue to raise its voice for the rights of Pakhtuns.

The ANP leader said the Spin Tangi massacre was one of the biggest tragedies befalling Pakhtuns. He paid tributes to the martyrs and said that they would be forever remembered for sacrificing their lives for their nation.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2021