Asfandyar Facing Opposition within Family

Behroz Khan

Publishing Date: Saturday, March 5 2005

The suspension of the basic membership of Farid Toofan, former provincial general secretary of Awami National Party does seem a mere storm in a tea cup, but it is likely to bring some hard facts to light that the party chief, Senator Asfandyar Wali Khan is likely to face strong opposition within his family.

The party provincial president and supporter of Farid Toofan, Begum Nasim Wali Khan is taking stand on her ousted general secretary instead of accepting the decision of ANP's president and her son, Asfandyar Wali. But the step taken by Asfandyar Wali and widely supported by workers and leaders alike is a test of nerves for him and his hold over the party not to withdraw the decision. No resistance or strong voice of dissent has so far come in favor of Toofan from any part of the province or any mentionable activist, excluding the resentment shown by Begum Nasim Wali, which has been reported by couple of newspapers.

Click to Read Article by Saleem Safi from Mashriq (in Urdu)

Farid Toofan. no doubt is a staunch nationalist and loyalist of Wali Bagh, as he identifies himself with, and has served on the party posts from time to time and has become minister when ANP was part of the provincial government. But he gave contradictory statement in his defense by saying that hidden hands were active to divide the party to pave way for the construction of Kalabagh Dam and that he was expelled because that he is not a wealthy man like others in the party fold. The question, which boggle minds is that who is influenced by the 'hidden hands' to divide the party?

Does he mean Asfandyar Wali Khan? The decision to expel him has taken by the son of Wali Khan and heir to political legacy of Bacha Khan. And suppose the argument of Toofan as a point; can he stop construction of the dam if he were in the party? And the gist of his arguments would be that the rest of the party headed by Asfandyar Wali has fallen in wrong hands and that the agencies dictate the ANP chief, under whose leadership Farid had been working for years. Secondly he said that he did not get the respect because he was a poor man and has served Wali Bagh from the core, which is hundred percent true. Numerous allegations of corruption were leveled against him when he was provincial minister for food, but all that proved false and part of the character assassination of Toofan.

The sacrifices and devotion of Toofan apart, he is the worst enemy of himself due to his attitude, as one his ANP colleague and cultural secretary Tappa Daudzai Peshawar, Aurang Zeb Khan remarked that Toofan has not understood the merit of legal capacity to work in the party to give respect and win respect. His attitude, many of his party workers say needs to be changed, but they would also agree with the fact that old habits diehard. Now there is talk within the party circles that the family of Wali Khan is reacting in a nonpolitical manner to the whole issue. Not only Begum Nasim Wali is defending Toofan, but her son, Sangeen Wali Khan is also on his side. Like his mother, Sangeen Wali also argues that the removal of Toofan would discourage poor workers and would believe that there is no room for them in the party.

However, another relation of Wali Khan and the party stalwart from Mardan, Azam Khan Hoti is silent in the ongoing tussle and war of words ensuing among the members of Wali Bagh. Party sources say that Hoti is in Asfandyar's camp instead of supporting his sister, Begum Nasim Wali Khan.

It is to be seen what comes out of this, but the democratic approach and upholding principles, the much admired slogan ANP, would be that the remaining office bearers of the party provincial cabinet tender resignations and pave the way for fresh election in the party to overcome the crisis and proceed in accordance with democratic norms.