PESHAWAR
After Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam Fazal (JUI-F), Awami National Party (ANP) on Monday also termed assassination attack on Pakistan Thereek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan a ‘controversial attack’ and alleged the former prime minister for pushing the country toward a “civil war” through his fabricated narratives and incidents.
Speaking at a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club (PPC), ANP Secretary General Mian Iftikhar Hussain, Central Spokesperson Zahid Khan, Secretary Foreign Affairs Syed Aqil Shah, Provincial Senior Vice President Khushdal Khan Advocate, Vice President Shahi Khan Shirani, MPA Shagufta Malik said that PTI chairman long march aimed at creating political instability and pushing the country into civil war.
Mian Iftikhar Hussain maintained that attack on PTI chairman in Punjab’s Wazirabad was a tragic incident and ANP demanded a transparent probe into the matter but the attack was fabricated to get some vested political interest, adding that a ‘drama was staged’ and then an FIR of its own will was demanded to conceals the facts.
He said that the incumbent federal government medical team was not given permission to conduct a medico-legal examination. The PTI chairman suggested there was something fishy and an attempt is being made to keep reality in the dark.
He said that ANP was a staunch opponent of PTI in politics but it did not support violence and attacks on its chairman Imran Khan.
“We are followers of Bacha Khan, non-violence is our ideology. The use of violence for political purposes was not acceptable. We strongly condemn the incident, but the language Imran is using is also not correct in any way. A high-level investigation of the incident should be conducted and all the facts should be exposed before the public,” he said.
ANP leader maintained that the former prime minister could not get the power through its long march and it would be his biggest if he thinks so.
Since the PTI chairman was in power all was going well on his part but as soon as he was removed as prime minister through a constitutional vote of no confidence in parliament suddenly all institutions and political parties became controversial.
Mian Iftikhar added that Imran Khan made the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) controversial through his immature political statements in the public meetings, he said and added that Imran Khan was running from general elections when he was prime minister of the country.
“Imran left no stone unturned to degrade democracy and devalue parliament during his rule,” he added.
During the PTI government, he said, political opponents were being targeted for revenge and institutions were being destroyed. Today, when he has been removed from office in a constitutional manner, he is now becoming a champion of democracy. Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that despite being on the chair of the Prime Minister for three years, Imran is still incompetent with the law and the constitution.
He said PTI has a government in Punjab but still the provincial government did not register an FIR of the attack which left Imran Khan and many others injured.
ANP senior leaders maintained that the people of the province were demanding long last peace on their soil, adding that incidence of terrorism were being increased but the provincial government had observed pin drop silence.
Terrorist’s outfits in KP were regrouping and reorganizing which was a greater threat to the peace of the country. ANP stressed taking decisions related to terrorism and talks with TTP should be brought before the parliament.
They added that it was extremely risky for national security to conduct such a serious exercise without informing the political leadership and parliament.
