PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) leaders on Friday strongly condemned targeted killing of a sessions judge in Balochistan’s Mastung district and a suicide attack on a security check post in Tank. The party leadership called for effective measures to curb the worsening security situation in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In a statement, ANP central president Senator Aimal Wali Khan condemned the killing of sessions judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and his gunman, describing the attack as “deeply tragic and heartbreaking”.
He said judge Kakar was known for his integrity, commitment to rule of law, constitutional rights and an independent judiciary, adding that the daylight attack was not only an assault on an individual but also on justice and rule of law.
Mr Khan noted that the judge had previously lost his brother, advocate Jamal Abdul Nasir, in the August 8, 2016, Quetta terrorist attack.
Expressing concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the ANP leader said ordinary citizens, political workers, police personnel and members of the judiciary were increasingly becoming targets of terrorism.
He said continuing incidents of targeted killings and terrorism indicated that existing security policies were not proving effective and urged the state to adopt serious measures to restore peace.
Mr Khan also expressed condolences to the families of judge Kakar and his gunman, prayed for the departed souls and wished a speedy recovery to additional sessions judge Tariq Lashari, who was injured in the attack.
Separately, ANP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president Mian Iftikhar Hussain condemned the suicide attack on the Manzaikhel security check post in Tank, in which several security personnel and a civilian were killed.
He said the province was facing an alarming rise in terrorism while both the federal and provincial governments were preoccupied with political matters instead of addressing the worsening security situation.
Mr Hussain claimed that residents of parts of Bannu and Lakki Marwat had remained confined to their homes for several days due to the prevailing security conditions, adding that disruptions to telephone, mobile and internet services had further aggravated the situation.
He also expressed concern over reports of shortages of essential commodities and restrictions on citizens’ movement, saying people were facing difficulties in accessing healthcare and performing funeral and burial rites.
The ANP leader urged the provincial government to brief the public on the ground situation in the southern districts and take immediate steps to restore normal life in Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank and other affected areas.
He extended condolences to the families of those killed in the Tank attack, wished the injured a speedy recovery and reiterated the party’s commitment to peace, the elimination of terrorism and the protection of citizens’ rights.
Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026
