KOHAT/SWABI: Speakers at a function held in connection with the death anniversaries of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Abdul Wali Khan on Saturday paid respects to them for advocating nonviolence and uniting the ‘oppressed’ Pakhtuns for their rights.

Those who spoke on the occasion included among others Awami National Party central secretary general Mian Iftikhar Hussain and provincial cultural secretary Khadim Hussain.

The program was held at the Bacha Khan library in Kohat.

The speakers said that it was ironic that there was not an article on the lives of such leaders in the country’s education syllabus. They termed it a conspiracy of ‘tyrant rulers’ to keep Pakhtuns as ‘slaves’.

Speaking on the occasion, Mian Iftikhar said Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, who is also known as Bacha Khan, empowered those who were looked down upon by others.

He said Bacha Khan advocated women’s education and independence. He said Bacha Khan preached revolution for which he was respected by people.

A large number ANP local leaders, workers, and members of student organisations were in attendance.

Meanwhile, ANP leaders, while speaking at a meeting held in Swabi, vowed to continue the struggle launched of Bacha Khan for peace and brotherhood by following his non-violence philosophy.

The participants said they would continue to work for forging harmony and brotherhood in the society. They asked people to make generous contribution to the society’s progress and discourage all those who conspired to harm the country’s interests.

On the occasion, ANP leader Mukhtiar Khan said Bacha Khan had remained behind bars for four decades, but he did not give up his struggle and continued to work for Pakhtuns’ progress and prosperity. “We will continue to follow his philosophy of non-violence,” he said.

“In the present difficult situation we need to work together, or our future will be bleak and the coming generations will face many difficulties,” he underscored.

Nawabzada Khan, ANP’s district general secretary, said they had chalked out a strategy to take all political parties onboard to work for peace and stability of the country.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2023