BUNER, Dec 17: Awami National Party (ANP) leader Azam Khan Hoti has alleged that some religious parties were behind the militancy in Swat and other parts of the Frontier province.

Addressing a gathering here at the residence of Haji Jehanzeb Khan of Sultanwas at a function in connection with Jehanzeb’s joining of the ANP. Haji Jehanzeb remained affiliated with Jamaat-i-Islami for 30 years.

On the occasion, Haji Jehanzeb Khan, Haji Mutabar Khan, Haji Abdur Rashed Khan and Abdul Malik Khan along with their family members, friends and relatives announced disassociation from the JI accusing it of ‘deceiving masses in the name of Islam’, but in fact they wished only for power. They announced all out support to the ruling ANP and assured support to ANP candidate Istiqbal Khan for by-election in Buner.

Azam Khan Hoti was of the view that the province of Punjab was the ‘hub of militant groups backed by religious parties and organisations’.

He directly held some religious parties for the unrest in the scenic valley of Swat and rest of the parts of the province.

He criticised the Jamaat chief for allegedly ‘igniting unrest’ in the province. Azam Hoti raised question about holding of huge gatherings by the religious parties in parts of the province as well as during by-election in Buner, while the ANP leadership was under threat in troubled areas including Swat.

Azam Khan Hoti was of the view that the province of Punjab was the hub of militant groups backed by religious parties and organisations.

He said that the unrest was just to destabilise the area and block way of progress and development.

The ANP leader called upon the Pakhtuns to shun their differences and forge unity among their ranks to jointly combat the ‘nefarious designs of the enemy’.

Candidate for NA-28 Istiqbal Khan, media cell in charge Advocate Shams Bunery, general secretary Mian Syed Laiq Bacha, Zareef Khan, MPA Syed Rahim Khan, District Nazim Haji Rouf Khan, Afsar Khan and many others also spoke on the occasion.