PESHAWAR, July 26: Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan has stressed the need for ‘national reconciliation’ to cope with the wave of militancy and terrorism in the region, saying that all the stakeholders should be given a chance to find a way out through a political process.

“We will not allow anyone to attack our soil,” the ANP leader said here on Thursday, while commenting on threats by the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Talking to journalists at the Bacha Khan Markaz after his return from the United Kingdom, the ANP chief stressed that political means should be adopted for resolving the crisis.

He said the US ambassador had issued a clarification regarding reported threats to attack North Waziristan. However, he made it clear that any aggression against the Pukhtuns’ soil would not be tolerated.

Expressing concern over increasing violence and bloodshed in the region, he said that responsibility rested with everyone to handle the matters politically. In this respect, politicians must be given a chance to fill the vacuum, he said.

In response to a question, he said vacuum created by blocking the political process was always filled by militants and extremists.

He said the political leadership must be given a chance to fulfil its responsibilities at this crucial stage.

He held both the sides involved responsible for the collapse of the peace agreement in Waziristan. Now, all the parties concerned should look towards the future, he said.

He supported the use of political and traditional means for resolving the matters facing the region.

Mr Khan said his party would participate in the Pakistan-Afghanistan joint peace jirga scheduled to meet in Kabul on Aug 9.

“There will be a disaster if we lose this opportunity,” he said in reply to a question.

He said the jirga would be a suitable forum for differentiating the proponents of war and peace and suggesting ways and means for resolving the issues facing the region.

When asked if the Taliban could be invited to the jirga, he said: “Everyone has the right to get his objectives through political ways.”

Mr Khan welcomed the

formation of the Pakhtunkhwa National Democratic Alliance and termed it a positive step towards unity among the Pukhtuns.

Meanwhile, the ANP arranged Quran Khwani and Fateha for the departed soul of late Afghan king Mohammad Zahir Shah at the Bacha Khan Markaz.A large number of party leaders, tribal chiefs, intellectuals and diplomat Noor Mohammad Takal from the Afghan consulate attended the event.