PESHAWAR, May 23: The National Democratic Consultative Process, a Pukhtun think-tank, has offered a development framework to the nationalist forces to review their performance and revamp their agenda in the light of ground realities.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan chairman Afrasiab Khattak, who has penned the document ‘Pukhtunkhwa: A Development Framework’, has urged the nationalist forces to come out of their shell and revise their future plan. He denied he was going to launch a political party or extending support to a particular party.

Speaking at a select gathering of Pukhtun intelligentsia at the Peshawar Press Club on Friday, Mr Khattak said he had complied a fact-sheet on Pukhtunkhwa to invite the attention of nationalists who had made sacrifices for Pukhtun, yet they were far away from their goal. The 146-page document was not a final word on the issues raised in it, yet it was an honest move towards a genuine struggle, he added.

“I have discussed the multidimensional problems being faced by Pukhtuns divided into northern, southern and tribal Pukhtunkhwa, and given a blueprint to all those who want to solve these problems”.

Referring to the rise of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, the HRCP chairman said military rulers had given them a free hand to continue their political work.

On the other hand, he pointed out, the government had usurped the basic rights of liberal, secular and progressive forces, which were not even in a position to challenge the power coterie.

He urged rulers to come out of the Cold War mindset and reassess the country’s priorities in the light of democratic norms.