‘Imran and Qadri would be responsible if democracy derailed’

Says ANP never to support any undemocratic force

CHARSADDA (INP): Asfandyar Wali Khan was elected central President of Awami National Party unopposed here on Sunday.

Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour was elected as Senior Vice President, Mian Iftikhar Hussain as General Secretary and Zahid Khan as Secretary Information.

According to details, ANP Central Council meeting was held under Senator Haji Mohammad Adeel at Wali Bagh in Charsadda.

Addressing members of the Central Council of his party, Asfandyar Wali Khan said Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri would be held responsible if there was any damage to democracy through marches and sit-ins. He said tsunami itself is destruction and those trying to bring change in its name were increasing confrontation.

He said the ANP in no way support national or technocrat government as there is no mention of them in the constitution. He said it is unconstitutional to force the Prime Minister to resign by placing pistol on his forehead and pointed out that there is a way out prescribed in the constitution to remove a Prime Minister.

ANP President said despite reservations, they accepted the 2013 election results and democratic traditions demand that mandate of the people be respected.

Asfandyar Wali said for Imran and others, Chief Election Commissioner was Fakhru Bhai while for ANP it was Hakeemullah Mehsood and therefore it was the right of the ANP to protest.

He questioned whether it was politics and democracy to demand resignations by gathering 50,000 to 60,000 people. He categorically stated that the nation would hold Imran and Tahirul Qadri hundred percent responsible if there was any harm to democracy.

He pointed out that in the past, political decisions were taken through dialogue and understanding in the parliament but in new Pakistan, decisions are made in road crossings. He made it clear that the ANP would never side with undemocratic forces.

He strongly criticized the KPK Chief Minister saying that he left the dead bodies of 18 children unattended and went to Islamabad to dance. He said during their governments tens of thousands of IDPs were dealt with respect and honour but now there are left at the mercy of the fate.   Earlier, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif congratulated Asfandyaar Wali Khan on his re-election as the president of Awami National Party.

In his message, the Prime Minister appreciated the democratic credentials of Awami National Party