Pak-Afghan border a serious threat to region: Iftikhar

Posted on 8 months ago

M. Haleem Asad
TIMERGARA: Provincial minister for information, transports and culture and central leader of the Awami National Party Mian Iftikhar Hussain on Monday cautioned people of the Dir Lower asking them to be prepared for further sacrifices as according to him the situation in the Pak-Afghan border had been a serious threat in the region.
The minister was addressing a party workers’ convention at Timergara. The ANP Dir Lower chapter had arranged the convention. He said that peace could not be restored in the region until misunderstanding among Pakistan, Afganistan and Nato forces were resolved. Mian Iftikhar said that third world war was being fought on the soil of Pukhtun without war declaration which could only be competed with unity of Pukhtun nationality.
The ANP leader expressed concerns over the Pak Afghan border area and said Dir Lower had been a sensitive area these days and the situation could turn severe if the people were not united against the militants. He said frequent attacks from across the border were a challenge for them but the government was committed to strike hard back.
The ANP leader said that the government enforced ‘sharia law’ in Malakand division on demand of the local people but militants sabotaged it and began to challenge writ of the government.
“We had no option other than to conduct military offensive against them,� Mian Iftikhar said, adding now rebellion had been seeking shelter in forests and mountains.
The minister said that renaming the province, provincial autonomy, restoration of peace and getting due share in NFC award were the achievements of the ANP led government in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that due to law and order situation the nimber of police officials had been increased from 40 to 80 thousands while developmental budget in the province had also been increased remarkably.
“The government increased ‘shuhada’ (martyred) package from Rs 300,000 to Rs 3 million. The ANP leader said that Pushto had been made a compulsory subject on school level while 9 new universities. “It shows the ANP loves education,� he said, adding that they had promised the nation to give pen in their children’ hands instead of guns.
Provincial minister for live stock Haji Hidayatullah, ANP central vice president Zahir Shah Khan, Muhammad Ayub Khan and others also addressed the convention while hundreds of party workers from across the district attended it.

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