PESHAWAR: A group of political and civil society activists on Thursday launched the Tehreek-i-Haqooq Khyber Pakhtunkhwa saying the body will raise voice for the due share of the province in national resources.

Founding chief of the movement Zahir Shah told reporters at the Peshawar Press Club that KP had sufficient natural resources but even then, its people were facing serious problems due to energy crisis.

Flanked by president of the movement Samad Mursaleen and other office-bearers, Mr. Shah said the province was producing sufficient electricity but even then, the people of KP paid Rs19 for per unit of power otherwise its actual price could be Rs5.

He said petroleum products, natural gas, water and forests too existed in the province in abundance but local people were not given authority on them.

Mr. Shah, a former PTI activist, said the Tehreek-i-Haqooq Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had no political motives but political workers, social workers and civil rights activists could join it.

“We have gathered to take steps for the welfare of our province and invite people from all walks of life to join hands with us to raise a forceful voice for rights of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he said.

The movement’s chief said the federal government was reluctant to give due share to KP province and that it had focused entire attention on development of only one province as if KP was not part of the country.

“If the centre gives us our due share in resources, we can overcome our financial problems, where the price of power and duration of loadshedding could be further reduced,” he said, adding that electricity was generated in KP but locals were subjected to the excessive loadshedding.

Mr. Shah said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were facing prolonged loadshedding and low voltage in the current sizzling summer but the provincial government didn’t plead its case at the right forums properly.

He said the politics of some political parties based on such issues like Kalabagh dam and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project but did nothing for the welfare of the people.

“We are here to create awareness among the people of their rights and if the need arises, we will agitate and stage sit-ins in Peshawar and Islamabad,” he said.

Mr. Shah said there must be oil refinery in southern parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Samad Mursaleen complained about the prolonged power outages and accused the federal government of intentionally annoying the people of KP.

“The poor consumers are forced to pay huge monthly bills without justification. It is time the people should unite against the injustices of the federal government otherwise they will increase to the misery of everyone in the province,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2016

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