PESHAWAR: Awami National Party has condemned the bomb blast in Sarai Naurang Bazaar of Lakki Marwat and criticised both federal and provincial governments over deteriorating security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In separate statements, ANP central president Senator Aimal Wali Khan and provincial president Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that the province was witnessing continuous bloodshed while state remained a silent spectator.

Aimal Wali termed the loss of precious human lives in the Sarai Naurang blast deeply tragic and expressed solidarity with the affected families. He alleged that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had become “a football between the federal and provincial governments”. He accused both the governments of shifting responsibility onto each other while people continued to suffer.

He questioned as to who was responsible to stop the violence. “Will militant elements always remain unidentified while innocent people continue to die,” he questioned. He also expressed concern over reported drone and quadcopter attacks, claiming that women and children were among the victims of such attacks.

The ANP chief also condemned teargas shelling on a protest demonstration of Bara Siyasi Ittehad. “If even police are not under the control of provincial government, then why does the government continue to remain in office,” he questioned.

Mian Iftikhar Hussain also condemned the Lakki Marwat bombing, saying targeting of innocent people could not be justified under any religion or law. “A systematic campaign of genocide against Pakhtuns is under way,” he alleged.

He said that Peshawar and the rest of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were bleeding but provincial government remained occupied elsewhere. He said that mere condemnation was not enough as governments were required to take practical steps to ensure safety of people.

Mr Hussain criticised federal government for ignoring the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in its priorities and warned that the worsening situation had become unbearable.

He called upon federal and provincial governments to adopt a clear and serious policy against terrorism and take indiscriminate action against militants and their facilitators.

The ANP provincial president also urged authorities to fully implement National Action Plan to restore peace and provide security to people. Both the leaders of ANP offered condolences to the families of victims and prayed for speedy recovery of injured.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2026