�ANP leaders had not opposed Pakistan creation�

LAHORE: Federal Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmed Bilour on Monday said that all the prevailing problems in the country would have been solved had the philosophy of Baacha Khan was implemented practically.

Addressing a conference held in connection with the death anniversary of the founder of the National Awami Party Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (Baacha Khan), Ghulam Ahmed Bilour said the perception about his leadership that it was against the creation of Pakistan was not true.

He said Baacha Khan did not oppose the creation of Pakistan but raised voice against the divisions of the Muslims of the region. He said Baacha Khan and his son Khan Abdul Wali Khan were great leaders whose lives revolved around the struggle for the rights of the people. He said the British wanted to implement their theory of ëDivide and Ruleí which was opposed by Baacha Khan and his followers as well as many notables like Maulana Azad.

Bilour also said that the ANP was a party which never encouraged feudalism and the interference of establishment in political affairs, adding that it was also the main reason why it could not make significant inroads in the province like Punjab.

He also said that the ANP remained a target of politicians of Punjab and was even called as foreign ëagentsí but in reality, it was a party with an ideology and a strong patriotic bond with Pakistan. Main speakers of the conference included Secretary General ANP Ehsan Wyne, IA Rehman, Arif Izhar and Peter Jacob.