PESHAWAR, Dec 22: Endorsing the decision of Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao to end his self exile and return home, the provincial council of Pakistan People’s Party (Sherpao) has said that the former chief minister of NWFP will steer the country out of the present crisis.

Speaking at a well-attended meeting of the PPP provincial council at the People’s House here on Saturday, the party leaders said the country badly needed his presence in the country and only he would steer the country out of the present crisis, a Press release said.

They believed that Mr Sherpao’s decision to end his self-exile and lead the nation in the prevailing volatile situation would definitely serve the national interests.

The meeting also decided to accord the former chief minister a warm welcome on his arrival at the Peshawar International Airport on Jan 6.

A PPP leader, Sikandar Hayat Sherpao, while speaking on the occasion, said that Aftab’s bold step to make a sudden comeback and face all charges against him in a court of law would go a long way in serving the greater national interests. Sherpao’s decision would have positive impact on the national political scene, he added.

Former provincial minister Ahmad Hassan Khan hailed Sherpao’s decision to end his self exile, saying he would work for the promotion of democracy and progress of the nation. He said that as Sherpao’s conscience was clear, no hurdle would impede his return. Nothing could prevent Sherpao from playing his positive role in the national politics, he observed.

Another PPP former provincial minister, Iqbal Hussain Khattak, said that the country needed the leadership of Sherpao. He said that the party would make elaborate arrangements for his safe return.

Former senator Syed Muzammil Shah apprehended that if the growing political and economic crisis was not checked, it would further aggravate the sense of deprivation among the people. He also termed Sherpao’s decision a right step in the present situation.

Former provincial ministers Ghanidad Khan, Shad Mohammad Khattak, Haq Nawaz Khan and Nawabzada Mohabat Ali Zafar, former MPAs Sher Akbar Khan, Jehangir Khan, Javed Iqbal Khan, Ghani Mohammad Khan, Syed Baidar Hussain Shah, Bakht Baidar Khan and Begum Shahzada Sulaiman, party leaders Saeed Ahmad Khan, Iqbal Hoti, Fazal Rehman, Malik Zarawar Khan, Alamgir Khalil, Saadullah Shah, Janis Khan, Mian Naveedur Rehman, Pervez Rana, Ibrar Saeed, Mohammad Yar Khan and Sahar Gul also attended the meeting.

The council, through various resolutions, reposed confidence in the leadership of Mr Sherpao.

The meeting also expressed grave concern over the escalating tension between Pakistan and India and demanded resolution of all disputes, including Kashmir, through peaceful means.

In another resolution, the council backed the formation of interim setup under the leadership of Hamid Karzai.