The Awami National Party (ANP) is fully geared up to observe the death anniversaries of its revered leader Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, popularly known as Bacha Khan, and his son Khan Abdul Wali Khan today (Thursday).
The largest gathering in this connection is being held in Peshawar at the Tehmas Khan Football Stadium, which has been decorated with the party flags. Banners and pictures of ANP leaders have also been installed at the roundabouts in the city.
ANP Central President Asfandyar Wali Khan, Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti and a number of senior party leaders would address the gathering. It will be the first public gathering of the party in Peshawar since it coming into power after the 2008 general election. The party avoided holding public gatherings in the city as its leadership was on the hit list of the militants. ANP leaders and workers were targeted by militants and over 500 were killed for launching military operations against them.
For the last few weeks, the provincial leadership worked hard to make the Peshawar show a success. A number of party leaders, some of them aspirants for forthcoming Senate elections, published advertisements in newspapers to urge party workers to attend the gathering. Short Messaging Service (SMS) were also circulated to attract people to public meeting. Also, the ANP-led government has announced public holiday on the occasion.
Bacha Khan and Wali Khan played a pivotal role in guiding Pakhtuns to fight for independence from the British Raj. They also struggled for democracy in Pakistan and suffered due to their beliefs.
Both the leaders, having identical beliefs and visions but with slightly different leadership style, stood firm for the rights of all nationalities in the country. Wali Khan was a strong voice against militancy, religious extremism and an articulate spokesman for the people’s right and progressive ideals.
ANP openly defied militancy and religious extremism and the only political force in the country with a clear and brave stance against terrorism.
The ANP supporters argue that renaming the province, passage of 18th Amendment, National Finance Commission Award, paying the net hydel profits to the province, scrapping the Kalabagh Dam project, bringing normalcy to Swat and handling of Malakand IDPs are major achievements of ANP in a short span of time.
Establishment of a number of colleges, universities and medical colleges, successful restoration of relative peace and standing firm for the cause of democracy in the challenging circumstances are some of its other achievements. However, the depressed economic situation, insecurity, inflation, energy crisis, etc have caused frustration among the people and damaged the ANP-led government’s image.
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