Karachi: ANP distances itself from ethnicist statements

[Naveed Yaseen]

KARACHI: The Awami National Party (ANP) has abolished its Karachi-based media cell after violation of the party’s disciplinary code by its in-charge.

ANP Provincial General Secretary Amin Khattak said that the Media Cell, Karachi in-charge, Qadir Khan, issued a false statement, saying Pakhtoons are the second biggest ethnic community of Sindh. This statement was neither a policy statement, nor was it endorsed by any of the party’s leaders, clarified Khattak, adding that the ANP has a clear policy of having no claim on Sindh’s sovereignty.

He also said that it was inappropriate for people who consider themselves intellectuals, to call a whole community “drug smugglers” and explained his position on ethnic rights, saying that Pakistan consists of four federating units (provinces).

Khattak said that the Constitution of Pakistan allows Pakhtoons of Pakistan to live anywhere in Pakistan. The Pakhtoons want basic rights, he said, adding that the ANP doesn’t want to indulge in name-calling and a blame game.

Up to 50 people – including around seven children – were injured in a series of seven low-intensity explosions in two busy neighbouring areas of Karachi on Monday.

Two of the blasts occurred in Banaras, injuring 16 people. The third explosion, which injured five people, ripped through a mini-truck in North Nazimabad. Sindh Police Inspector General (IG) Sallahuddin Babar Khattak said the blasts were fairly mild.

“Apparently the purpose was to create panic in the city. There is also a possibility that the people who planted the bombs wanted to fan ethnic tensions in the city,” Khattak told AFP. He said it appeared that 150-200 grammes of explosives were used in each blast.

Crime Investigation Department sources claimed that timed devices were used in the attacks, adding that this likely ruled out the involvement of jihadi elements. Khattak also noted that the areas struck have a predominantly large Pakhtoon population and the headquarters of ANP.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...008_pg12_6