2 April, 2005	Saturday	22 Safar 1426

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PESHAWAR, April 1: The Pukhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai has called upon the United States and the rest of the commity of nations to protect Pukhtoons from adverse affects of the Kalabagh dam by forcing the government of Pakistan to halt its construction. Pukhtoons were not shallow people, but the entire nation was averse to Kalabagh dam project because of its adverse effects.

“In fact it is a project to control the Pukhtoon’s region’s water, therefore, it is our demand from the international community and the United States, too, to help us (Pukhtoons) protect from this project by making the government to abandon it,” Mr Achakzai said during a press conference here on Friday.

Claiming that the Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement’s (Ponm) wheel-jam and shutter down strike on March 31 was a big success, Mr Achakzai said that the alliance would continue its struggle till the time Pukhtoons and other oppressed nations got political power.

He said that Ponm’s struggle was meant to win political power for the Pukhtoons and other oppressed nations belonging to Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab.

“Resistance put up against the British rulers of the sub- continent was meant to secure political power, otherwise, colonioal rulers had given all other facilities to the people,” said Mr Achakzai, adding that “Pukhtoons have zero representation in the current system and their natural resources are being controlled by other ethnic groups.”

He demanded of the government to enhance Pukhtoons’ representation under the existing political system. “Pukhtoons have no representation in the high echelons of power except for the post of deputy chairman of the senate, therefore, we demand that they should be one-fourth representation in the political system in proportion to their size,” said Mr Achakzai.

He said that ‘the powers that be’ did not recognize the significance and rights of Pukhtoons. “We will continue for securing our due rights by remaining within the ambit of Pakistan and its constitution,” said Mr Achakzai, adding that “ our struggle for securing due rights is in accordance with the political and democratic norms and principles laid down under the Holy Quran”.

He did not agree with the notion that Ponm’s strike fell short of mustering business community’s support because the alliance had also made political issues as basis for observing the strike.

“Ponm comprises oppressed nations and each one of them has grievances against the government so we tried, and tried well to cover grievances of all the nations forming part of Ponm,” he added. Therefore, he said, Kalabagh dam was included because it was an issue of Pukhtoons and Sindhis, price hike was included because it was an issue of the entire nation and the acquisition of land for army generals at throw away prices in Punjab was also included in Ponm’s demands because it was an issue faced by people living in the Seraiki belt of Punjab. “Economics is part of politics and both can not be detached from each other, therefore, we decided to focus our agitation on multi-dimensional issues,” said Mr Achakzai.

He said the establishment of a true democratic setup could only be ensured in Pakistan if the role of army generals and secret agencies was put an end for ever.

On this occasion, he thanked Awami National Party (ANP) and Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) for taking part in Ponm’s strike on March 31. He, however, said that Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal should have joined its strike (to be observed on April 2) with Ponm’s.

“It would have benefited the MMA as well as,” said Mr Achakzai, adding that “religious parties’ alliance made a grave political mistake by not merging their strike with Ponm’s which was extended support by all other political forces.

Answering to a question, he said Ponm would welcome if ANP decided to return to its folds. “ANP would be more than welcome if it decides to rejoin Ponm,” said Mr Achakzai. He, however, did not accept that Ponm’s activities forced the traders to take part in the strike and in their attempts smashed windowpanes of showrooms and restaurants. “Those who caused damage to private property were not Ponm’s activities,” claimed Mr Achakzai, adding that “they were out- siders”.

He regretted that private property was damaged. However, he said that Ponm was ready to face ‘coercive’ measures adopted by the government. “We don’t worry about the cases filed against us,” he said.