DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Awami National Party (ANP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Mian Iftikhar Hussain has alleged that efforts are underway to create an environment for rolling back the 18th Constitutional Amendment and undermining provincial autonomy, warning that his party would not allow any such move.
He was speaking at a gathering organised by the ANP tehsil Budhni, Peshawar district, to welcome former independent candidate for PK-77 Fazal Mohammad Khan Afridi into the party.
Mian Iftikhar said the ANP’s struggle was focused on peace, provincial autonomy, the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and the constitutional rights of the provinces. He alleged that attempts were also being made through the national media to shape public opinion in favour of dividing the provinces.
“If the objective is to transfer powers to the grassroots level, why are local governments not being empowered?” he asked, calling for financially and administratively empowered local governments across the country.
He said local government elections were held but elected representatives were often deprived of meaningful powers. According to him, powerful circles were reluctant to devolve authority to the grassroots.
The ANP leader said the provinces had been empowered under the 18th Amendment and the principle of provincial autonomy, which he described as a constitutional right. He added that the NFC Award was also a constitutional entitlement of the provinces, but was not being implemented in its true spirit.
Mian Iftikhar further claimed that the unrest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan was linked to a struggle over control of the regions’ resources.
Recalling the country’s history, he said Pakistan had already suffered the consequences of attempts to redraw provincial boundaries.
He referred to the separation of East Pakistan, arguing that the crisis could have been avoided had the results of the 1970 general elections been respected and power transferred to the winning party.
He alleged that certain forces were seeking changes in the system that could deprive people of their constitutional powers.
“The ANP will not allow the 18th Constitutional Amendment and provincial autonomy to be rolled back under any circumstances,” he said.
Mian Iftikhar also expressed concern that the prevailing tensions could lead to a further increase in terrorism in the region. He stressed the need for unity and collective action to counter what he described as threats to the province and its people.
He welcomed Fazal Mohammad Khan Afridi to the ANP and congratulated him on joining the party. He also appreciated those who had worked to facilitate the development and said he hoped the process of political engagement and similar gatherings would continue.
ANP provincial General Secretary Hussain Shah Yousafzai, Central Secretary for Human Rights Khushdil Khan Advocate, Provincial Vice President Salahuddin Khan, spokesperson Arsalan Khan Nazim, Joint Secretary Hamid Toofan, Secretary Youth Affairs Tariq Afghan Advocate, Peshawar district president Arbab Mohammad Tahir, Budhni tehsil president Amjad Nawaz Durrani, Pashtakhara tehsil president Malik Rehmanullah, former provincial assembly candidates Sadiq Afridi and Malik Farhad Khan, former district president Malik Naseem Khan and other party office-bearers and workers were also present.
