ANP vows to continue struggle against militancy

Despite losing a senior leader, leadership of Awami National Party vowed to continue their struggle against militancy, saying they would root out terrorism from the country. A bomb blast in the Qissa Khawani Bazaar area of Peshawar killed Provincial MPA Bashir Ahmed Bilour along with eight others and injured at least 18 people. Federal Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, whose brother embraced martyrdom in the blast, said his brother was a brave man who has desire of martyrdom. Expressing grief, he said it was not only party’s loss but for the entire nation. He pledged that he would not bow before the militants and would continue their fight against terrorism. While expressing grief over the great loss, ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali while speaking to the media said that they wouldn’t quite struggle against terrorism until death. He praised the bravery of mitered leader, saying they will have to fight against the militant mindset. He added that he would hold meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Pervez Ashraf and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and make strategy for fight against militancy. KP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain, while talking to said that he salutes Bashir Bilour. “He sacrificed himself for the country and he fought against militants,” Hussain added. Hussain reports that he and Bilour used to get 3-4 threats every day. The KP minister demands a tripartite commission between the US, Afghanistan and Pakistan to solve this crisis. ANP leader Senator Zahid Khan expressed grief over the demise of Bashir Bilour and said that it was great loss not only for the ANP but for the whole nation. He said terrorist wanted to lead the country towards darkness.