PESHAWAR: The Awami National Party on Tuesday expressed concerns about the military operation in Tirah area of Khyber tribal district, with its president, Senator Aimal Wali Khan, wondering who will ensure that militants don’t leave the area disguised as civilians.

“Military operations and the eviction of people are no solution to the issue of militancy,” Mr Aimal told a function at the Bacha Khan Markaz here.

The event was held to inaugurate the Week of Bacha Khan to mark the 38th death anniversary of Khudai Khidmatgar leader Abdul Ghaffar Khan and the 20th death anniversary of Pakhtun leader Abdul Wali Khan.

Mr Aimal, who is also the chief executive of the Bacha Khan Trust, questioned the rationale behind population displacement for the Tirah operation.

Aimal advocates for targeted action against militants

He said operations were carried out against Tehreek-i-Labbaik in Punjab but no one was displaced, while incidents of kidnapping for ransom continued in several Sindh districts without residents being forced to go away.

The ANP leader wondered why only Pakhtuns had to face displacement for such offensives.

He alleged that the displacement was meant to seize livelihoods, trade and businesses of tribesmen.

Mr Aimal said operations and the eviction of people from their homes were no solution to the militancy problem.

He said during the ANP’s government in the province, a military operation was carried out in Malakand Division but displaced people were provided with facilities and were not forced to live in tents.

“We ensured the displaced persons’ dignified and timely resettlement after the situation stabilised,” he said.

The ANP leader said that as the prime ministers, the approach of both Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif towards Pakhtuns was unfriendly, while the current rulers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa appeared more interested in securing the release of their jailed leader, Imran Khan, than addressing people’s issues.

He said that if the provincial government claimed to be powerless, it should quit.

“Secret deals at night and rhetoric in the day are unacceptable,” he said.

Mr Aimal said “ideological and intellectual extremism” couldn’t be eliminated through military operations.

He demanded the formation of a truth and reconciliation commission for the purpose. He also called for the accountability of all former military and civilian rulers.

The ANP leader wondered what action had been taken against those who brought terrorism to the region and said while people of terror-hit areas were displaced, those who facilitated terrorists hadn’t been held accountable.

He called for targeted operations against militants and said in that case, displacement of civilians won’t be needed.

Mr Aimal said the ANP could help restore cordial relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan by resolving issues through dialogue.

He said if elected to power, the ANP nominees would claim the rights of Pakhtuns.

The ANP leader paid tribute to Bacha Khan and Wali Khan for fighting for the people’s rights.

He said Bacha Khan introduced the politics of non-violence, awareness and humanity in an era of conflict, while the Khudai Khidmatgar movement was a revolutionary mass struggle based on education, discipline and unity.

Mr Aimal said Wali Khan was a staunch advocate of constitutionalism, democracy and a strong federal Pakistan who never bowed before dictatorship and strengthened parliament as the voice of the people.

He said a strong Pakistan rested on strong provinces, supremacy of the Constitution and democratic politics.

“Nationalism is about rights and equality and not hatred,” he said.

The ANP leader said non-violence, democracy, constitutionalism and education must be adopted in practice, as the path shown by Bacha Khan and Wali Khan was the path to peace, dignity and progress.

ANP central senior vice-president Dawood Khan Achakzai, secretary general Dr Mohammad Saleem Khan, finance secretary Senator Haji Hidayatullah Khan, secretary (foreign affairs)Sardar Hussain Babak, provincial president Mian Iftikhar Hussain, general secretary Hussain Shah Yousafzai and leaders Malik Faqir Ali, Shakir Shinwari and Arsalan Khan Nazim, attended the event along with a large number of workers and supporters.

The ceremony featured performances on national songs by Nungyalay Pakhtun’s Salaran, book launches by the Bacha Khan Research Centre and stalls of books, art pieces, handicraft, traditional products and clothing.

Awards were also presented to individuals for outstanding contributions in various fields.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2026