PESHAWAR/CHARSADDA: The Awami National Party central president, Aimal Wali Khan, has said that the youth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are being systematically driven towards terrorism and extremism, both ideologically and at the state level to keep them apart from education and sports so that the global and domestic powers, including the US, could seize our natural resources.

“We will give our lives but will never allow anyone to usurp the resources and rights of the Pashtun nation,” Aimal Wali claimed.

He expressed these views while addressing the inaugural ceremony of All Pakistan Asfandyar Wali Khan Football Tournament at Abdul Wali Khan Sports Complex, Charsadda.

ANP central president Aimal Wali Khan said that football is a world-famous sport. He said that protecting the youth from drugs and guns makes sports an essential need of the time.

He announced that twelve different provincial-level sports events would be held every year at Abdul Wali Khan Sports Complex, and opportunities would be provided to both boys and girls to participate in sports.

He said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been engulfed in terrorism and extremism, while its minerals and resources are being seized. He said: “US president Donald Trum and other international and domestic powers are trying to take control of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s resources, but as long as Aimal Wali Khan is alive, he will stand like an iron wall against these forces and will give his life but will not allow anyone to occupy the resources of the Pashtun nation.”

Earlier, speaking at the event, the tournament’s patron-in-chief, Syed Masoom Shah Bacha, shed light on the objectives of the tournament, saying that in order to pay tributes during his lifetime to the national leader of the party, Asfandyar Wali Khan, for his invaluable services for the rights of the Pashtun nation, especially for the youth, the All Pakistan Asfandyar Wali Khan Football Tournament has been organised.

Meanwhile, talking to journalists in Peshawar, he criticised both provincial and federal governments’ handling of flood relief efforts and asked for better measures to help the people in floods-affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said that the country was facing a humanitarian crisis due to the government’s incompetence and lack of preparedness for the purpose.

He said that the government was not doing enough to help the people affected by the floods, and that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) performance was below the desired level.

The ANP chief said that the government had not provided sufficient resources to the affected areas, and that the people were suffering due to lack of basic necessities like food, shelter, and healthcare.

Mr Aimal emphasised the importance of institutions staying within their constitutional roles. He also asked the federal government to return the heavy machinery of local government to the KP government immediately to speed up the rehabilitation efforts.

He said that a strong local government system having full powers was the only way to address the country’s problems, especially in the present situation.

“We are not against Pakistan or the Constitution. We want the institutions to stay within their constitutional roles and do not overstep their domains.”

He also called upon the government to protect the rights of the Khudai Khidmatgar Tehreek, which is efficiently involved in flood relief activities.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2025