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HYDERABAD, Oct 26: The chief of Awami National Party (ANP) Mr Asfandyar Wali Khan has declared in unequivocal terms that the on-going conflict in Afghanistan was not a war between Kufr and Islam but it was a power struggle.
He was talking to the members of the provincial executive committee at the local party office at general bus stand Hali road here on Friday.
Mr Asfandyar Wali said that Islam had nothing to do with this power struggle as it was a religion of peace, love and tolerance.
He said that terrorism was unknown to Islam as it did not permit the bloodshed of innocent people, women and children.
He said that Pakistan in general and the Pakhtoons in particular were standing on the cross-road of history and they must decide now whether the future generations would live in peace or in perpetual turmoil.
He said that emotional decisions were always wrong because they were taken on the spur of the moment. He said that the present situation must be viewed not through sentiments but through the rationality and logic.
He said once again the people were being exploited in the name of religion and added that Pakhtoons in particular were not only emotional but also religious-minded and therefore they were likely to be misled by the slogan of holy war.
He said that the ANP was the true custodian of the philosophy of Bacha Khan and it had always believed in non-violence. He added that the followers of Bacha Khan were against all sorts of terrorism whether it was individual, political or state terrorism.
He condemned the massacre of innocent people and children in Afghanistan and added that political problems could only be resolved through politics and not by use of force.
OSAMA: He said that the bloodshed of innocent Afghans just for the sack of one person, who was not an Afghan national, could not be condoned.
He said that even the Ulema council appointed by no one else but the Taliban government itself had asked Osama bin Laden to leave Afghanistan but just one person had vetoed this decision. “Then who is responsible for the present situation,” Asfandyar Wali asked.
He said that Osama was dictating terms to America by saying that the war would go on till the liberation of Palestine and the ouster of US forces from Arab countries.
He wondered why Osama had not waged Jihad in Palestine or Saudi Arabia.
JIHAD: He said if Jihad was the correct path why did not Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Moulana Fazlur Rehman and Moulana Samiul Haq themselves took part in the Jihad or sent their own children to participate in it.
He said these Ulema were quoting the instances of holy wars of Ohad and Badr but what they forget to quote was that a tooth of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was martyred in these wars because He Himself had led the Jihad. He added that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) had set this example before the Muslims.
The ANP chief said, “if I am not prepared to go to jail, how can I ask ANP workers to go to jail.”
He referred to the accusations that ANP for the first time was supporting military government and added that this support was not extended to individuals but to the policies.
He said that for the last 20 years it had been the policy of the ANP that outsiders should get out of Afghanistan, stop meddling in its affairs and allow the people of Afghanistan to decide their fate.
He was of the opinion that only the Loya Jirga could decide the fate of Afghanistan and only a non-controversial person could convene the Jirga.
He sarcastically said that processions were being taken out only in big cities like Karachi and Peshawar, and vehicles and shops were being set on fire. He added if a shop was brunt at Sohrab Goth, it would neither help Afghanistan nor harm America.
The nationalist leader cautioned the Pakhtoons livings in Sindh that they were again being pushed towards an inferno in which they had burnt during previous years. He said an impression was being created that all the Pukhtoons were Taliban.
He urged the Pushto speaking people to be very careful and not to be dragged in this inferno.
He demanded that Osama should be sent to Saudi Arabia as he was not an Afghan, or handed over to OIC.
He said that enough blood of the Afghan nation had been shed and over 2.5 million people had been killed over the years.
He called upon the party activists to educate the people that the on-going conflict was a power struggle and not a holy war.
Referring to the party matters, Asfandyar Wali urged the provincial leadership to organize the party on sound footing, increase the membership and establish Bacha Khan centre in Karachi.
He expressed satisfaction that some party candidates had emerged victorious in the local government elections in Karachi.
The others who spoke on the occasion included Aurangzeb Khan, Shahid Syed, Rana Gul Afridi, Haji Asmat-ul-Mehsood, Dr Ishtiaque and Farooq Bangash.
Party office bearers from the districts of Karachi, Hyderabad and Dadu attended the meeting.
