SWABI: Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai said here on Wednesday that it was imperative for the leaders of Pakhtuns to unite for their survival and future of the young generation. He was addressing a public meeting at Shewa Adda. Besides the central and provincial leaders of PkMAP, party workers from across the district and other parts of Khyber Paktunhkhwa attended the gathering.

“For the protection of Pakhtun nation and its economic progress, all the Pakhtun factions should unite because their survival is at stake. Killing of Pakhtuns and financial decline continued unabated for the last several years,” said Mr Achakzai.

He said that political, religious and tribal leaders of Pakhtuns should shun their differences and devise a formula to work for the welfare of Pakhtuns from a united platform.

“They (Pakhtun leaders) should sit across the table and make joint efforts to reverse unjust decisions imposed on Pakhtuns under a well-planned strategy,” he said.

Asks neighbouring countries to stop interference in internal affairs of Afghanistan

The PkMAP chief said that unity and collective efforts of the leaders could protect the future of young Pakhtuns, their economic and political interests and dignity. He said that as compared to the residents of other parts of the country, the Pakhtuns, residing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Federally administrated Tribal Areas, suffered badly in the war against terrorism.

“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and tribal areas are under the shadows of war. It is the result of the conspiracies hatched against the Pakhtuns as their regions have been converted into battlefield,” he said.

Mr Achakzai said millions of Pakhtuns left their homes, leaving all their belongings and perfect mechanism of earning their livelihood, but when the time of their repatriation came they confronted numerous difficulties and challenges.

He demanded rehabilitation of internal displaced persons, saying Pakhtuns rendered countless sacrifices for the motherland and were ready to do more but they should not be victimised.

“Pakhtun is a brave nation and whenever there was threat to the country integrity they fought gallantly. It is a fact that Pakhtuns are true patriotic people and they should not be labelled as terrorists,” he said.

Mr Achakzai said that PkMAP leaders and workers would continue their fight for the rights of Pakhtuns. “We have been struggling for Pakhtuns rights for years. This is our aim and main objective,” he added. He said that Pakhtuns had right over their resources while upholding the principle of fraternity and brotherhood. “We want to make clear that the usurper of our resources is not acceptable to us,” he said.

The PkMAP chief said that peace could not be restored in Afghanistan if the neighbouring countries continued to meddle in its internal affairs. “There is an imminent danger of the Afghan insecurity spillover to the neighbouring countries. In case of failure, the neighbours would also confront the explosive security situation,” he said.

He warned the neighbours to stop interference in internal affairs of Afghanistan or face the consequences of instability. “Afghan crisis has already eclipsed Pakistan economic progress,” he said. Speaking on the occasion Advocate Arshad Khan, the former chairman of Awami National Party organising committee, announced to quit ANP and joined PkMAP. Arshad had earlier remained central deputy chairman of PkMAP. A number of various other families also quit ANP and PTI and announced to join PkMAP.

PkMAP district president Ikram Khan and general secretary Advocate Mubashir Khan also spoke on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2016