ANP for making city weapon-free

Awami National Party (ANP) held a public meeting in Landhi on Sunday to pay tributes to the “Khudai Kidmadgar” (Servant of the God) Khan Abdul Ghafar Khan and the party leader Wali Khan.
Addressing a huge gathering, President ANP (Sindh) Shahi Syed said that he always used to talk about reconciliation, adding: “I want to make this metropolis a weapon-free city and an ideal commercial hub”. He said that there should be no more murders in the city from now onwards.
Syed said that Malaysia, Dubai and Saudi Arabia happen to be weapon-free states and successful business centres, adding, “We must set them as standard to achieve our target”.
He said that owing to fragile law and order situation many industries have been shifted to other places, particularly outside Pakistan, which was quite alarming and the ruling class was responsible for it. Without naming any particular party or group, he said that several leaders were encouraging their followers to buy weapons, which was not a good sign at all.
He said that ANP would soon establish Nangayele Force (Youth Phaktoon Force) comprising 10,000 youngsters and added that Phaktoons would soon hear good news regarding Phaktoonkhwa (new name proposed for NWFP).
Pointing at the rally participants, Shahi Syed said that this gathering amply shows that Phaktoons live here in large numbers, adding: “ANP is not running for ministries since we simply want respect in society”.
Phaktoons were not getting due recognition in society in the past but now the scenario has changed, he said, adding that Phaktoons and other people must be aware of fake Phaktoon Student Federation. He asked them to inform the local ANP leadership if they hear any news regarding this bogus student organisation. He blamed that this bogus student wing was responsible for causing trouble and embarrassment for the community.
He further said that owing to the presence of Taliban and their activities innocent Phaktoons were being killed in Pakistan and across border, adding: “I am fighting for the rights of Phaktoons and the religious scholars must tell me if I am wrong”.
Syed appealed the people to stand up with him against terrorism. “It does not matter which language you speak, you must be aware of the lawlessness in the city. Today there is a dire need of peace in the city since this city has become a stockpile of arms and weapons,” he added.
“Actually the land of the city is valuable and its market price is increasing day by day, which has provoked the interest of many stakeholders,” he said. He alleged that one of the influential parties was claiming the ownership of Karachi and Hyderabad, saying, the war was about postings and transfers”.
Responding to the demands of Sindhi nationalist parties, Shahi Syed said that every Pakistani has the right to live anywhere in the country. The 1973 Constitution gives such right to all Pakistanis and no one can claim the ownership of the land, he declared. “Today it has been proved that Phaktoons constitute a big force and nobody can force them to quit,” he warned.
Provincial Minister for Labour Amir Nawab Khan, party’s provincial General Secretary Amin Khatak and others also spoke on the occasion.