Wali Khan quits as NAP Chief
RAWALPINDI, MAY 23 Khan Abdul Wali Khan. son of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and a longtime political power in the North-West Frontier Province, resigned today as president of the National Awami Party (NAP) which held the majority of seat in two of the four West Pakistani provinces, reports AP.
His resignation followed reports that his major rival in Frontier politics, Khan Abdul Qayyam Khan was seeking a merger of three wings of the once- ruling Muslim League and that the military regime was exploring the possibility of proclaiming its own Constitution instead of waiting for the suspended National Assembly to write one. Khan Wali Khan, 55. who stood for provincial autonomy announced his resignation in a statement issued in Peshawar. He said he planned to return resume treatment for an eye ailment.
UNI adds: Khan Wali Khan said he had resigned because of political curbs and restrictions in Pakistan. But the Central Committee of the party has asked him to continue until a successor was appointed, he added.
The NAP held seven seats in he still-born National Assembly. All the seats were from NWFP and Baluchistan.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 24.5.71