DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Awami National Party (ANP) leaders on Wednesday strongly rejected allegations levelled by a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker and defended their party’s role in the fight against terrorism, saying ANP had rendered unmatched sacrifices for peace in the country.
Addressing a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club (PPC), ANP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa spokesperson Arsalan Khan, along with members of the party’s information committee, former MPA Salahuddin Khan, Joint Secretary Hamid Toofan, Metropolitan Peshawar President Arbab Rashid Samin and lawyer Sana Gulzar, said that ANP had consistently stood against militancy and never retreated during its government in the province.
They cited the assassination of senior party leader Bashir Ahmed Bilour as “clear example” of ANP’s sacrifices in the war against terrorism.
The ANP leaders criticised PTI and its Information Adviser Shafi Jan for levelling what they called baseless allegations, saying those who “ignored public issues and weakened governance” had no right to question a party that had itself been targeted by militants.
They said that during the PTI government, incidents such as the Army Public School attack and the Bacha Khan University tragedy had taken place, adding that these events reflected a worsening security situation under its rule.
The ANP leaders further alleged that PTI had failed to address terrorism effectively and accused its leadership of inconsistent policies regarding militant groups.
They also criticised governance in the province, claiming that development and public safety had been neglected.
Arsalan Khan said that the party would not allow politics to be played on the blood of the Pakhtun people. He alleged that governance had deteriorated, corruption had increased and public issues remained unresolved.
He also referred to allegations of financial irregularities and administrative failures in various districts, claiming that institutions had been misused and governance structures weakened.
The ANP leaders said that PTI should avoid making “unfounded accusations” and focus on its own governance record.
They maintained that their party had always opposed terrorism and would continue to advocate for peace, democratic values and public rights in the province.
