PESHAWAR, Nov 8: Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao has blamed the ruling parties for the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi.

Both Awami National Party and Mutahidda Qaumi Movement were exploiting people for their ulterior motives by using the name of Taliban, he told a press conference at his residence in Hayatabad here on Thursday.

A number of tribal elders belonging to South Waziristan and Orakzai agencies and Dera Ismail Khan announced joining QWP during the press conference.

Mr Sherpao alleged that ruling parties including Pakistan People’s Party were using the name of Taliban to get more space in Karachi and hide their weaknesses and mysterious activities.

He said that ultimate sufferers would be Pakhtuns if an operation was launched in Karachi or in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal areas. He said that law and order problem was created for political motives and it should be resolved on political basis.

The QWP chief stressed the need for devising an effective strategy for security of the region if Nato forces were withdrawn from Afghanistan in 2014. He said that rulers had failed to give proper attention to the post-2014 scenario in the region.

“In case the government fails to devise a plan for the post-withdrawal scenario (in Afghanistan) the result will be devastating for Pakhtuns,” Mr Sherpao feared. He said that government had ignored tribal people because neither the president nor prime minister visited Fata during the last four years.

The QWP chief said that government had deliberately given up pursuing the peace policies initiated by him when he was interior minister. He said that Pak-Afghan Jirga had helped in minimising anti-Pakistan sentiments in Afghanistan.

That jirga was helpful in restoration of peace in the region but unfortunately the government did not implement the decisions taken during its different sessions, he said.

Mr Sherpao said that flawed policies of government and military operations in Fata resulted in displacement of about 0.8 million people, who were leading a miserable life.

“Military operations are not solution to the problem. The government must take all political parties and tribal elders on board before taking any decision regarding tribal areas,” he said.

The QWP chief said that international community should acknowledge the sacrifices of tribal people in the war against terrorism and help in their rehabilitation and development.

Mr Sherpao said that government failed to implement the Fata reforms that created a sense of deprivation and alienation among the tribal people.

He said that QWP would convene a convention of tribal people and take steps for restoration of peace in Fata. “We never left tribal people alone. We raised voice for their rights and highlighted their plights,” he said.