BUNER: Awami National Party provincial president Aimal Wali Khan has claimed that militants are regrouping in Buner district and demanding money from local residents, and asked the government to give protection to the citizens.

Addressing public meetings in Batai and Sultanwas on Monday, he questioned the role of law-enforcement agencies in coping with the militancy in the region.

He also addressed corner meetings in Totalai, Mandan, Amazai, Gagra, Chaghorzai, Ashezai, Daggar, Gokand and Bampokha during his weeklong visit to the district.

The nationalist leader is also scheduled to address Buner District Bar Association, visit Chaghorzai and also address a press conference at end of his visit.

ANP provincial general secretary Sardar Hussain Babak, district president Karim Babak, and others accompanied him.

Aimal Wali made it clear that his visit was aimed at forging unity among Pakhtuns to fight for their rights under the leadership of ANP. He said Pakhtuns were passing through a critical phase and their rich resources were being exploited by others. He asked Pakhtuns to end their petty differences and forge unity. He said Pakhtuns were producing cheap electricity, marble products, oil and gas, but despite that they were being kept backward.

The ANP leader said he was on a province-wide visit to ask Pakhtuns to safeguard their due rights otherwise history would not forgive them.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2019