SWABI, Jan 24: Awami National Party’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president Afrasiab Khattak has said that the party would seek votes on the basis of its performance and predicted that they would also form next government in the province.

He was speaking at a function arranged here to mark the 25th death anniversary of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and seventh of Khan Abdul Wali Khan. He said that the ANP-led provincial government had been working for peace since assuming power in 2008.

“We have been sticking to the non-violence philosophy of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan who advocated it during British colonial rule in the sub-continent. The current ANP government has also worked for peace throughout its tenure,” he said.

He said that the provincial government had modernised the provincial police force by providing them the latest technology and equipment to quell militancy. He said that if the ANP came to power again it would take more steps for enhancing efficiency of the police.

Mr Khattak said that the ANP had planned all parties conference to forge consensus against terrorism and formulate a joint strategy on holding negotiations with militants. He reiterated that eradication of terrorism was not the responsibility of a single party, saying that the menace could be uprooted with a joint strategy. The APC would be held in the first week of February. Law minister Arshad Abdullah said that the ANP had strong position in Swabi and hoped that it would maintain its position in the upcoming general election.

Other leaders claimed that the ANP had completed record projects in Swabi, including the establishment of University of Swabi.

ANP district president Haji Rehmanullah and general secretary Tamraiz Khan also addressed the function, which was attended by MPAs Yasmeen Jasim and Sikandar Irfan.

They paid tribute to their leaders and said that Bacha Khan and Wali Khan had worked throughout their life for securing rights of Pakhtuns and their awakening. They said that they were happy that the provincial government had delivered according to the expectations of Pakhtuns.