CHARSADDA: Awami National Party provincial president Mian Iftikhar Hussain has declared sacrifices of Babarra martyrs a glorious and unforgettable chapter of national history, saying they represent an enduring symbol of struggle for rights, democracy, non-violence and human dignity.
Speaking to reporters here on the occasion of Babarra Martyrs’ Day, the ANP leader said the martyrs had refused to bow before oppression and had laid down their lives while remaining steadfast in their principles.
He, along with other ANP leaders and workers, visited the memorial of Babarra Martyrs and laid a wreath.
ANP provincial general secretary Shah Hussain Yousafzai, district president Shakeel Bashir Khan Umarzai, general secretary Shehzaduddin, tehsil president Gohar Ayub, provincial leader Mirza Ehsanullah Khan and other office-bearers and workers were also present.
Says sacrifices of Khudai Khidmatgars continue to inspire those fighting for justice, equality
Mr Hussain said hundreds of Khudai Khidmatgars were killed when peaceful protesters were fired upon at Babarra on Aug 12, 1948.
He alleged that the firing, ordered by the then provincial chief minister, Abdul Qayyum Khan, had left a deep scar on Pakhtun history.
“Qayyum Khan, the British Raj and opponents of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement are no longer here, but the ideology and philosophy of Khudai Khidmatgars are still alive.
Their struggle continues to serve as a source of inspiration for those fighting for justice and equality,” he said.
The ANP leader said if the ANP was given an opportunity to form a government in KP, it would order a fresh inquiry into the Babarra incident and review all aspects of the case.
“Babarra incident is a dark chapter of history that will remain alive in the hearts of the nation,” he said.
Referring to broader history of political violence, Mr Hussain said the incidents from the Qissa Khwani Bazaar tragedy to Babarra and subsequent events reflected a long history of injustice against the Pakhtun people.
He said the continuing incidents of terrorism and violence in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan showed the serious challenges faced by the people of the two provinces.
The ANP leader said stability couldn’t be achieved without improving the law and order situation.
He accused Chief Minister Sohail Afridi of not taking “serious steps” to establish peace in the province.
“If the release of detained PTI founder Imran Khan is necessary, then peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is equally necessary,” he said.
Meanwhile, ANP central president Senator Aimal Wali Khan said the victims of the Babarra massacre awaited justice despite the passage of nearly eight decades.
In a statement issued from Wali Bagh here, Mr Aimal said the state repression was not limited to the killings and that bodies were desecrated, many of them thrown into the river and drums were beaten outside the houses of the deceased.
He said unfortunately, little had changed in the 78 years since the tragedy, as people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan were still facing insecurity, state policies and repression.
He paid tribute to all those who were killed on Aug 12 and vowed to continue the struggle for people’s rights, control over their resources, peace, democracy and the supremacy of the Constitution.
Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2026