MARDAN: Provincial Senior Minister Sirajul Haq has termed the protest demonstration by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl in Peshawar a failed attempt to restore Nato supply through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He was addressing ‘Youth Pakistan Umeed-i-Pakistan’ convention, organised by Shabab-i-Milli in the town hall here on Sunday.

The convention was attended by Shabab-i-Milli central president Atiqur Rehman, provincial president Ibrar Akbar, Jamaat-i-Islami district president Maulana Sultan Mohammad and former PMA Mian Nadar Shah.

Siraj, also central deputy chief of Jamaat-i-Islami, said that the protest demonstration by JUI-F in the provincial capital on Sunday was meant for restoration of Nato supply. It was not against price hike, terrorism and deteriorating law and order situation, he added.

The minister said that the issues of price hike, terrorism and law and order situation were related to central government. JUI-F should stage a protest in Islamabad for resolution of those issues, he added.

“America has failed to succeed in its designs in Afghanistan despite its 12-year struggle and now it is trying to blame Pakistan to hide its failure in the so-called war against terrorism,” the minister said.

He said that the allegations levelled by Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif against the provincial government were aimed at preparing ground for launching military operation in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

Siraj said that they would not release Dr Shakeel Afridi as he would be tried in Pakistani courts. “The Pakistan Muslim League-led federal government is only limited to Punjab province and other provinces of the country are intentionally neglected by it,” he alleged.

Siraj said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervaz Khattak had been requested the prime minister to give him time for a meeting for the last eight months but to no avail.

He said that provincial government dared to stop Nato supply in its limits to fulfil the promises made with people before the last general elections.

The minister said that Mian Nawaz Sharif had promised the countrymen during his election campaign to free them from the influence of America. “Now it is time for him to take practical steps for the purpose,” he added.