CHARSADDA — Marking the death anniversaries of Khudai Khidmatgar founder Bacha Khan and Pakhtun leader Wali Khan, Awami National Party (ANP) Central President Aimal Wali Khan delivered a blistering critique of Pakistan’s security and foreign policy. Addressing a massive gathering on Friday, Aimal Wali asserted that terrorism cannot be eliminated through military force alone and demanded an immediate end to the displacement of Pakhtun tribesmen in the Tirah Valley.
Aimal Wali Khan’s Address
- Occasion: Death anniversaries of Bacha Khan (38th) and Wali Khan (20th).
- The Stand: Reiteration of “Non-Violence” as the only path to peace.
- Tirah Crisis: Demand for the immediate return of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons).
- Regional Trade: Call for the reopening of the Pak-Afghan border for commerce.
- Political Allegation: Accused former military and PTI leaders of “resettling” terrorists.
People call him the Frontier Gandhi, but Bacha khan was more than Gandhi. He led the worlds largest nonviolent movements, and redefined Pashtun honor by replacing bloodshed with discipline n education. The world remembers Gandhi, Pashtuns remember Bacha khan.#BachaKhanWeek2026 pic.twitter.com/ooF9K0tLPB
— wazma khan nasar (@Wazma0) January 20, 2026
The Tirah Crisis and “Discriminatory” Displacement
Aimal Wali expressed deep concern over the ongoing military operations in the Tirah Valley of Khyber district. He questioned why only Pakhtun populations face mass displacement during security operations, comparing the situation to Punjab and Sindh where he claimed targeted actions are taken without uprooting thousands of families.
“The people of Tirah are helpless,” he said, accusing the provincial PTI government of failing to provide basic relief like tents and food to those forced out of their homes.
Accountability for “Facilitators” of Terrorism
In one of his most aggressive statements, the ANP leader held a specific group of former officials responsible for the current resurgence of militancy. He explicitly named:
- Retired Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa (Former COAS)
- Retired Lt-Gen. Faiz Hameed (Former DG ISI)
- Imran Khan (PTI Founder)
- Arif Alvi (Former President)
He accused them of “bringing terrorists back” under flawed policies that have now turned Pakistan into a “proxy battlefield” for global powers. He demanded that those who labeled terrorism as “jihad” be held legally accountable for the resulting bloodshed.
Border Closure and Economic Misery
Aimal Wali slammed the federal government’s decision to keep the Afghan border closed while trade with India continues. He argued that border closures have failed to stop terrorism and have only succeeded in destroying the livelihoods of Pakhtuns.
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“Pakistan is paying the price for proxy wars,” he noted, adding that deteriorating ties with Kabul and improving Indo-Afghan relations should be an “alarm bell” for Islamabad’s policymakers.
A Call for Voting Rights for Youth
Addressing domestic reform, the ANP leader argued for lowering the voting age to 18. He contended that if an 18-year-old is mature enough to pay taxes, hold a driving license, and obtain an ID card, they must be granted the right to choose their representatives in general elections.
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