Scores of ANP activists quit party

NOWSHERA: Scores of disgruntled party workers and office-bearers of the Awami National Party have expressed anger over the “indifferent attitude” of the ANP’s central leadership and have left the party in protest.In a meeting held here Tuesday at the residence of Mian Rashid Ali Shah Kakakhel, former district secretary general of ANP, the dissident workers and office-bearers bitterly criticised central president Asfandyar Wali Khan, provincial chief Afrasiyab Khattak and NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain for their “unresponsive behaviour”.They dubbed Afrasiyab Khattak as an agent working for the United States of America and accused him of selling the Pakhtuns. On the occasion, the speakers said the ANP-led government could not stop killing of Pakhtuns in Bajaur Agency and Swat district rather it kept mum over “the ethnic cleansing”.Through a unanimous resolution the meeting condemned Israeli attacks on Gaza and appealed to the United Nation Organisation and Organisation of Islamic Countries to stop the genocide of Muslims in Palestine.The workers and local leaders of ANP decided to part ways with the party and empowered Mian Rashid Ali to decide on their behalf on joining of any other political party. During the meeting, the workers urged Kakakhel to hold consultation with the leadership of PML-N provided they supported the provincial autonomy and rights of the Pakhtuns.Those who addressed the meeting included former president ANP PF-14, Aslam Shah, former district deputy president Shafqat Babar and former president Kheshgi, Maarif Gul. Other party workers who spoke in the meeting were Mir Azam Khan, Jehanzeb, Zar Ali Khan, Subedar Gul, Tasleem Khan, Wazir Gul, Imran Khan and Zardad Khan.They said ANP had utterly disappointed the Pakhtuns as there was no change in sight in the lives of the common people living in the throes of lawlessness and poverty. The speakers said Mian Iftikhar was reluctant to face the party workers.