KHAL: The first death anniversary of shaheed religious scholar, nationalist figure and political activist Maulana Khan Zeb was observed with solemnity on Friday.
A ceremony was held at the Bajaur Sports Complex, where Awami National Party (ANP) leaders expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The event began with Quran Khwani and special prayers for the departed soul before the formal proceedings.Among those present were ANP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Mian Iftikhar Hussain, provincial general secretary Hussain Shah Yousafzai, MPA Nisar Baz, former MPA Bahadur Khan, ANP Central Working Committee member Sheikh Jahanzada, district president Gul Afzal Khan, district general secretary Shah Naseer Khan, party workers and a large number of local residents.
Addressing the gathering, Mian Iftikhar Hussain questioned the worsening law and order situation in the province, saying attacks were continuing in Swat and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
He said the people of the region had repeatedly faced displacement, while schools, seminaries and mosques had been destroyed during years of militancy.“Today we have become hostages in our own homeland. We are not afraid of threats and will continue to raise our voice,” he said.
MPA Nisar Baz said more than 90,000 Pakhtuns and over 1,200 tribal elders and political workers had lost their lives in the violence.He said targeted killings in Bajaur had continued since the assassination of Mian Shah Jehan in 2005, later claiming the lives of Abdul Razzaq and many tribal elders, religious scholars and political activists.
Speakers paid tribute to Maulana Khan Zeb’s political, literary and social contributions, describing his services as a valuable legacy for the nation.A book titled “Alternative Narrative”, authored by the late Maulana Khan Zeb, was also launched during the ceremony.
Presenting a declaration at the ceremony, Sheikh Jahanzada, a member of the ANP Central Working Committee and elder brother of the late Maulana Khan Zeb, described the slain leader as a national martyr and an asset to the Pakhtuns.
The declaration expressed concern over the prevailing insecurity from Bajaur to Waziristan and across the province, urging the provincial government and other relevant institutions to fulfil their responsibility of restoring peace and ensure the implementation of the National Action Plan in letter and spirit.
It urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to resolve bilateral issues, including the repatriation of refugees, through dialogue and political negotiations.The gathering demanded that historical border crossings, including Nawa Pass, Ghakhi Pass, Kagah Kandao, Lait Kandao, Ghosalai Kandao in Mohmand and other traditional routes from Chitral to Chaman, be reopened for public movement and trade.
The declaration called for the early implementation of commitments made under the 25th Constitutional Amendment for the merged tribal districts and demanded the withdrawal of the decision to impose taxes in the merged districts and Malakand Division.
Participants demanded the immediate establishment of the prime minister’s promised inquiry commission to investigate the assassination of Maulana Khan Zeb, resolution of issues relating to missing persons, restoration of Internet services across the merged districts from Bajaur to Waziristan, and scientific surveys of mineral resources, with extraction carried out in consultation with local jirgas.
Ashrafuddin Pirzada adds: Speakers paid rich tribute to Maulana Khan Zeb at a function held to mark his first death anniversary. The condolence reference was organized by the Awami National Party Landikotal chapter at the District Press Club.
Ali Afzal Afzaal adds: The ANP organized a peace seminar in Parachinar on the occasion of the death anniversary of Maulana Khan Zeb.Speakers included Jalal Hussain Bangash, ANP Kurram district president Hamid Hussain, noted educationist Alam Jan, Abid Bangash, Fakhri Bangash, Sabir Hussain Turi and others who paid rich tribute to the social and political services of Maulana Khan Zeb.
