PESHAWAR: Aimal Wali Khan, central president of Awami National Party, strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack in Bannu and called for the immediate establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate decades of violence in the region.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Senator Aimal Wali Khan said that while celebrations were being held across the country, the disturbing reports and videos emerging from Bannu exposed the harsh reality of how little value was attached to Pakhtun lives in Pakistan.

He said the ANP had long been demanding serious, effective and decisive measures against terrorism, but regretted that both the federal and provincial governments continued to engage in blame game instead of addressing the deteriorating security situation.

“The Pakhtun population continues to pay the price for this political apathy and lack of seriousness, as people are forced to carry the coffins of their loved ones almost every day,” he said.

The ANP chief said the Pakhtun nation also wished to celebrate peace and stability, but stressed that confronting the truth and accountability from the past was essential. He demanded immediate formation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to determine who was responsible for the bloodshed of Pakhtuns over the past five decades and under which policies and agendas the violence had been carried out.

Expressing solidarity with the families of the victims, Senator Aimal Wali Khan prayed for patience and strength for the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the blast.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2026