SWAT: Leaders of Awami National Party paid a glowing tribute to the martyrs of Babara massacre in a ceremony held in Swat Press Club the other day.

The ceremony was organised by the ANP’s Swat chapter to remember the sacrifices of Pakhtun nationalists in Babrra massacre that occurred on Aug 12, 1948.

A large number of party workers, nationalists and leaders attended the event. They included ANP’s former president Sher Shah Khan, general secretary Khawaja Mohammad Khan, Nisar Khan, Dr Haider Ali, Nadir Shah, Aziz Khan, Afzal Khan, Ghafoor Baba, Zafar Ali, Samiullah Gran, Waheedullah Qarar and Attaullah Khan.

They said that on Aug 12, 1948, the supporters of Khudai Khidmatgar movement were protesting against the arrest of Abdul Ghaffar Khan and other leaders and the termination of the elected government of that time. They said that when the protesters reached Babara ground in Charsadda district the oppressors opened fire killing a large number of them.

“They raised their voice against oppression and at that time the oppressors tortured them, but the brave people fought against them, but did not accept the oppression,” the speakers said, adding that the martyrs of Babara were still in the hearts of Pakhtuns.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2022