PESHAWAR, March 18: The Awami National Party has suspended the membership of central finance secretary Hashim Babar for criticising the party policies.

ANP information secretary Malik Mustafa told Dawn on Sunday that party provincial chief Senator Afrasiab Khattak had served notice on Mr Babar. His (Mr Babar’s) basic membership had been suspended, he added.

Citing reason for the disciplinary action, Mr Mustafa said that Mr Babar violated discipline of the party after his daughter was not awarded ticket for contesting the Senate elections.

He said that that Mr Babar was constantly criticising party leadership and recently he organised a function in his constituency where he spoke against the party.

Mr Mustafa said that provincial office of the party had already served show cause notice on Mr Babar for his activities but he could not give satisfactory reply. Under the party constitution, basic membership of the central leader would remain suspended for three months.

During this period he can appeal to central executive committee of the party against the notice or can seek apology. Mr Babar, who belongs to Peshawar district, had sought party ticket for his daughter on reserved seat for women in the Senate.

The ANP allotted the ticket to Zahida Khan, a resident of Lower Dir district. Mohammad Sher Khan, the father of Ms Khan, was killed in a bomb blast and ANP nominated his daughter for the Senate seat in recognition of his services for the party.—Bureau Report