PESHAWAR: Awami National Party announced here on Tuesday that it would join the opposition Pakistan Democratic Movement’s long march on Islamabad on March 23 to pave the way for ouster of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government.

Talking to mediapersons following a gathering on the occasion of 26th death anniversary of Khan Abdul Ghani Khan at Bacha Khan Markaz here, ANP provincial president Aimal Wali Khan said that the PDM leadership had invited his party to join the long march and they accepted the invitation.

He said that his party workers would reach Islamabad on March 23 to participate in the opposition’s power show at the Constitution Avenue in front of the Parliament House.

Criticising Prime Minister Imran Khan, he alleged that the government had adopted the path to spread violence by threatening lawmakers to keep them away from joining the house proceedings. He said by bringing one million people to Islamabad the government itself was trying to disrupt law and order. He added that the opposition parties, especially the ANP, could not be pressurised through such tactics.

Aimal claims govt planning to disrupt Islamabad’s law and order

He said the negative tactics being used by the PTI government were not in the country’s interest. He asked the federal government to refrain from choosing the path leading towards chaos and anarchy.

Earlier, Aimal Wali paid rich tribute to Ghani Khan on his 26th death anniversary and said that being a multifaceted personality he was a strong advocate of peace, humanism and universalism. He said Ghani Khan was a Pashto languagepoet, artist,writer, philosopherand nationalistpolitician as well.

ANP central general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain also addressed the gathering and said Ghani Khan was a revolutionary poet who played vital role to create awareness of peace and humanity among the people.

He urged the new generation to study Ghani Khan’s life whose poetry attracted peopledue to his creative andrevolutionarystyle.

Poets and researchers belonging to Karachi, Quetta and other parts of the country also shared views about Ghani Khan’s life and presented their papers.

Mubeen Mirza, a guest speaker from Karachi, said that Ghani Khan inspired many through his art and queer poetical expression and his satirical tone had an electrified impact on readers.

Prof Abaseen Yousafzai said on the occasion that Ghani Khan was a mendicant but a few brushed him as pagan more than a Sufi saint because of his scathing criticism on outdated traditions and practices in the typical Pakhtun society.

Prof Yar Mohammad Maghmoom Khattak said Ghani Khan had equal mastery over Pashto, Urdu and English and so was his talent in poetry and art.

The young artists who took part in a competition were awarded prizes on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2022