Calling for adopting a policy of non-interference in Afghanistan, the Awami National Party (ANP) on September 15 expressed concern over “regrouping” of terrorist organisations and rise in incidents of extortion and targeted killings in the country, report Dawn. Speaking at a news conference after a meeting of the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) in Islamabad, ANP’s senior vice-president and Member of National Assembly (MNA) from Mardan, Amir Haider Hoti asked the Government and the state to adopt a clear policy and make correct decisions at right time after taking parliament into confidence as the country could no more afford another phase of terrorism. The CEC meeting was convened to discuss the situation in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover last month and its possible implications for Pakistan and the region, besides discussing the prevailing political situation in the country, particularly the Government’s act of targeting the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the proposed setting up of the controversial Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA).
Mr Hoti stated that once again the security institutions, police and even the general public were becoming a victim of terrorism and target killings and the people had once again started receiving telephone calls demanding extortions all over the country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Mr Hoti made it clear that the ANP had no favourites in Afghanistan. He said the ANP only wanted to see peace in the neighbouring war-torn country and believed that the people of Afghanistan should decide their own future. No other country had the right to make a decision about the future of the people of Afghanistan.