“Let me tell you that we are the followers of Bacha Khan. We will continue following his philosophy of non-violence and keep fighting those, who believe in violence,” he told a condolence meeting on Tuesday. Mian Rashid Hussain, the only son of the minister, was shot dead by militants on Saturday last.

A composed Mr Hussain spelt out his future course of action in his first appearance before the media after the murder of his son.

“I don’t believe in revenge, but the war against terrorism will be taken to its logical end,” he said.

People from different walks of life including ministers, parliamentarians and politicians attended the condolence meeting.

The minister said that those who killed Mian Rashid were neither Pakhtuns nor Muslims. He said that terrorists should stop killing children, women and innocent civilians.

He said that nation was united against militants and followers of Bacha Khan and Khan Abdul Wali Khan would not surrender to terrorists.

“We are staunch followers of non-violence and tried our best to bring terrorists to the negotiating table,” he said and added that militants were not serious in peace talks and challenged the government writ in Malakand and tribal areas.

“Don’t kill our children and women. Violence against women and children is considered the worst crime in Pakhtun culture,” he said.

Mr Hussain said that his son did not commit any crime, but he was killed because of him.

“He was my son that was why he was killed,” he said, urging militants to lay down arms and renounce militancy. He said that government was fully prepared to counter militancy.

Meanwhile, Awami National Party central president Asfandyar Wali Khan has said that nation would win the war against terrorists and peace would be restored in the region at any cost.

He was talking to journalists in Pabbi on Tuesday. He visited the town to condole with Mian Iftikhar Hussain.

He said that the killing of the son of Mian Iftikhar was a big tragedy and he could not explain this irreparable loss in words.

He said that militants killed the only son of Mian Iftikhar while the other day innocent people, coming to offer Fateha, were killed in the suicide blast. He pledged that ANP would not change its policy and would oppose violence and terrorism.