ANP blames resurgence of militancy on former military leadership, Imran

PESHAWAR: Awami National Party provincial president Mian Iftikhar Hussain on Tuesday alleged that the “resettlement of militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” was a consequence of the policies pursued by former army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, former ISI chief Lt-Gen Faiz Hameed and former prime minister Imran Khan.

He called for accountability over decisions that contributed to the worsening security situation in the province.

During a protest demonstration organised by the ANP’s district Peshawar chapter in Badhber area against an attempt on the life of ANP Pishtakhara tehsil president Malik Rehmanullah, Mr Hussain expressed concern over the “resurgence of terrorism and deteriorating law and order conditions in the province.

He wondered when those decided about the resettlement of militants would be held accountable.

“If Lt Gen Faiz Hameed could face legal consequences in other matters, those behind policies that adversely affected the Pakhtun population should also be held answerable,” he said.

Referring to the recent armed attack on Malik Rehmanullah and a rocket attack on businessman Afzal Gujar in Swat, Mr Hussain termed the incidents alarming and criticised authorities for failing to identify those responsible.

He said that despite the deaths of Afzal Gujar’s son, nephew and a guard in the attack, no effective action had so far been taken, raising serious questions about the response of authorities.

The ANP leader said that the region had suffered from terrorism for nearly five decades, with “certain elements” within the ruling setup continuing to support facilitators of militancy.

He said the ANP had rendered unprecedented sacrifices for peace and was among the first political parties to oppose the resettlement of militants in the province.

Mr Hussain said he had repeatedly received threats but would not be deterred from speaking out against militancy.

“Peace is a basic necessity for every citizen, and we will continue our struggle for its restoration at all costs,” he said.

Criticising the provincial government, he said the security situation was deteriorating, while the administration remained focused on efforts to secure the release of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan.

The ANP leader also alleged widespread corruption in the province and accused both provincial and federal governments of failing to address the growing threat of terrorism. He said that the National Action Plan had never been implemented in its true spirit.

Responding to criticism that militancy also existed during the ANP’s tenure in government, Mr Hussain argued that his party hadn’t been in power in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the past 13 years.

He claimed that during the militancy crisis in Malakand, the ANP had played a significant role in restoring peace and re-establishing the writ of the state.

The ANP leader said the party was committed to democratic and constitutional struggle for peace, development and the protection of Pakhtun rights and would continue raising its voice against both terrorism and policies that contributed to its growth.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2026

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