Thaindian News

Peshawar, Jan 27(ANI): Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan has laid down three conditions for talks with the Taliban- accepting the writ of the government, stopping bloodshed and never using Pashtun soil for carrying terror attacks inside Pakistan and the neighbouring countries.

Addressing a party meeting held in connection with the death anniversary of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and his son Khan Abdul Wali Khan, Asfandyar said the ANP was ready to hold talks with the Taliban if they accepted the three conditions.

He said the terrorists had failed to remove the peace-loving Pakhtuns from their sacred cause for peace and prosperity, even through their dreadful acts. However, for the sake of lasting peace, the ANP was ready to forgive the murders of its party workers by the terrorists, if the Taliban recognised the government’s writ and stopped violence.”We are the followers of Bacha Khan and Wali Khan, who had always advocated for peace and non-violence,” the Daily Times quoted Asfandyar, as saying.

However, it did not mean that they would abandon their mission for peace under threats and aggression, he added.

Commenting on the Karachi situation, Asfandyar said the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) should recognise the reality that Pakhtuns had strengthened their political, social and economic roots in the city, and that the ANP was the only platform for the Pakhtuns living in Karachi.

“Shahi Said [ANP President, Sindh] is enjoying the mandate of the Pakhtuns in Karachi and the ANP leaders and workers from all over the country would support him in his struggle for Pakhtun rights,” he added. (ANI)