PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao has said that growing sense of deprivation among the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is harmful for the federation.

Addressing a public meeting, held at Dalazak Chowk here on Monday in connection with fourth foundation day of QWP, he demanded of the government to give due share to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project. He also demanded holding of census and merger of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

QWP general secretary Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli and provincial chairman Sikandar Khan Sherpao also spoke on the occasion.

The QWP chief expressed concerns over delay in giving due share to smaller provinces in National Finance Commission award and CPEC. He said that federal government had focused its entire attention on development of Punjab, ignoring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Sherpao asks centre to give share in CPEC to province, hold census

“The federal government is making false promises and issuing statements to claim that work on western route of CPEC is in progress. The centre is deceiving us by constructing a small portion of the route in Mianwali and Attock. People of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will never be a part to this hypocrisy,” said Mr Sherpao.

He said that Chinese government had taken steps to link its backward areas with CPEC whereas government of Pakistan ignored the smaller federating units.

The QWP chief said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should ensure transparency in the $46 billion project. He said that representatives of smaller provinces should be taken into confidence because concealing development projects would reflect the pessimistic and cynical attitude of federal government, intending to cheat the smaller provinces.

Mr Sherpao also showed concerns over delay in census and described it vital for equal distribution of national resources. He rejected the idea of referendum on the future status of Fata. He said that politicising merger of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was an attempt to maintain status quo and instability in the region. “We demand census and merger of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa before the next general elections. Changes in Fata can be brought only by president after consultations with the jirga, which has already supported merger of tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he said.

The QWP chief said that government failed in its primary objective of establishing friendly relations with neighbouring countries. He said that absence of a foreign minister at that crucial juncture was beyond comprehension.

“The federal government is incapacitated by its insular, prejudiced and narrow vision to serve Punjab and ignore the rest of the country,” said Mr Sherpao.

He said that rulers failed to present the case of Pakistan internationally. “Gradually we are alienating our friends. We are turning decades of service, hospitality and friendship with Afghan brothers into hostility and India is taking full advantage of the situation. The international organisations are indifferent to the atrocities of Indian armed forces in occupied Kashmir which reflects the ineptitude of our foreign policy,” he added.

The QWP chief said that delay in NFC award was not only hampering progress but it was also promoting consternation among the people of smaller federating units. He asked the federal government to release net hydel arrears to ensure smooth financial management in the province.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2016