KARACHI, June 23: Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan has said that Pakhtoons have played an important role in making Karachi a city of lights, but even after 54 years their townships in the metropolis remained deprived of basic amenities.

Asfandyar Wali Khan, who was speaking at a public meeting at Hazrat Bilal Colony, Korangi, and at a reception in Sohrab Goth on Saturday, said Pakhtoons had been moving to Karachi in search of employments.

The ANP chief said: “We don’t want to usurp the rights of others but similarly we are not prepared to surrender our rights”.

He said war was not a solution to any problem and as such Pakistan and India should resolve all their outstanding disputes through negotiations.

“We are with Gen Musharraf as far as the policies of elimination of terrorism, improving ties with India, eradicating sectarianism and resolution of Kashmir and Afghanistan issues are concerned, but we also have reservations on certain other measures, including the graduation condition for candidates to assemblies which is against the fundamental rights.”

Others who spoke on the occasion were Farooq Bangash, Rana Gul Afridi, Abdul Malik, Sardar Khan, Haji Sher Zaman and Suleman Khan. — Staff Reporter