PESHAWAR: The mistrust between Pakistan and Afghanistan would provide space to terrorists, said Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao here on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference at his party’s secretariat in University Town, he urged both the states to improve bilateral relations to restore sustainable peace in the region.

On the occasion several prominent activists of Awami National Party belonging to Malakand division including Amir Alam Khan, Amir Zaman Khan, Misal Khan and Dir Nawab Khan along with their family members and supporters joined QWP.

“The bitterness and mistrust between the two states is not a good omen for ending terrorism and extremism in the region,” Mr Sherpao said.

He added that relations between the two neighbouring countries were friendly when Afghan President Ashraf Ghani assumed the charge of his office but the internal political situation and anti-Pakistan propaganda forced the Afghan leadership to blame Pakistan for unfavourable situation in Afghanistan.

“Islamabad should take solid measures in order to end the reservations being raised by the Afghan government,” the QWP chief said. About talks between Pakistan and India, Mr Sherpao said it was an opportunity for both the countries to continue the talks and extend mutual cooperation for restoration of durable peace. He said that the long awaited issues could only be resolved through talks.

The hostile attitude of Indian government, he said, would escalate tension in the region. He said that the widening gap between the two states would ultimately put negative impact on the ongoing military operations against terrorists in the region.

Appreciating the decision taken by election tribunal regarding NA-122 re-election, Mr Sherpao said that government should introduce reforms in the electoral process to minimise chances of rigging and mismanagement in future.

About Karachi operation, the QWP chief said that the operation should continue till elimination of the last criminal as terrorists, target killers and extortionists had made lives of the innocent citizens miserable.

The Karachi operation, he said, was launched on the request of political parties including Pakistan People’s Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement to get rid of the anti-state elements.

“Now, MQM has no right to create political turmoil in the country owing to the successful operations against the anti-social elements in the city,” he added.

About agreement between QWP and PTI, Mr Sherpao said that leaders of both the parties had agreed on a 12-point agenda in the best interests of the province. He said that his party had no confrontation with any of the coalition partners in the provincial government.

He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should get maximum attention in terms of economic activities in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. He said the route should be built as per original plan to give the smaller provinces their due share.

“This would end the prevailing sense of deprivation and help to create more jobs in the province that would ultimately lead to elimination of terrorism,” said the QWP chief.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2015

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