PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Saturday said the federal government had raised the issue of Kalabagh dam as a conspiracy to divert the attention of Pakhtuns from the change in the original route of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor.

“Talking about the construction of Kalabagh dam is like flogging a dead horse. No one can construct it (Kalabagh dam). The federal government assured participants of an all-party conference to complete the route in line with the original plan but later changed its western portion,” he told a public meeting held here to mark the QWP’s third foundation day.

QWP provincial chief and MPA Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao presided over the event, where party’s central vice chairman Abdul Malik Khan, senior leaders Haji Ghufran and Salim Khan, and lawmakers were present.

Sherpao said if the CPEC was not constructed in line with the original plan, Pakhtuns won’t accept it as a national mega project.

He said besides Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan’s Baloch population were also made part of the economic corridor plan and ironically, only Pakhtuns were left out.

The QWP chief said his party was strong supporter of the CPEC western route feeling it would benefit ‘Kalabagh issue raised to distract Pakhtuns from CPEC route change’ less developed areas of Northern Balochistan, KP and Fata.

He added that his party favoured a Pak-Afghan trade corridor, which could be extended to the Central Asian States.

“If the western route of the CPEC is built, then we can open up routes to dozens of countries instead of just one country,” he said.

Sherpao said the projects, which could harm the federation, shouldn’t be executed.

“The government should not waste time on issues like Kalabagh dam,” he said, adding that adequate funds should be announced for the reconstruction and modification of Munda dam.

The QWP chief said terrorism had adversely affected Pakhtun belt and its population and therefore, it was the time to address the issue urgently and effectively.

He said the government should focus on the implementation of National Action Plan on security to establish writ of the state all over the country.

Sherpao said Pakhtun population currently had a tough time.

He said the federal government’s policies were increasing the sense of deprivation among smaller provinces due to the non-implementation of 18th Constitutional Amendment.

The QWP chief asked the federal government to take concrete steps to address the issues and challenges of the militancy-hit and insurgency-torn provinces without further delay.

Talking about the Islamabad-Kabul relations, he said whatever happened in Afghanistan had a direct impact on the Pakhtuns of Pakistan.

“The continued turmoil in Afghanistan is not in our favour. We must do whatever we can to reduce violence there. The relationship between Kabul and Islamabad cannot improve just through state-level dialogues. Pakhtuns of Peshawar, Jalalabad, Kandahar and Quetta must be engaged as they have brotherly ties with each other for a long period,” he said.

Sherpao favoured the proposed merger of Fata with KP saying adoption of the idea help address issues faced by tribesmen since the country’s creation in 1947.

“Pashtuns of KP, Fata and northern Balochistan must live in one province. The merger of Fata with KP will be the first step towards turning the federation stronger,” he said.

The QWP chief also demanded early release of net hydel profit dues by the centre to KP.

He said his party won’t compromise the rights of Pakhtuns and would shout slogans for provincial rights and autonomy on every platform.

QWP central general secretary and MPA Anisazeb Tahirkheli, who was also in attendance, said the party would continue struggle for sustainable peace in the region, complete provincial autonomy, the province’s control on own resources, unity, education and development of Pakhtuns, and rehabilitation of displaced tribal families.

Published in Dawn, October 18th , 2015

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