MARDAN/PESHAWAR: Awami National Party provincial president Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has warned of dangerous consequences if Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif does not fulfill his promise on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s western route.

Addressing a public meeting in Manga area of PK-23 constituency here on Saturday, Mr Hoti claimed that the PM had promised to get western route completed first. He noted that the CPEC project was a question of life and death for Pakhtun nation. “The future of coming generations of Pakhtuns is linked with the CPEC,” he emphasised, adding they would not allow development of Punjab ‘on the destruction of Pakhtuns’.

He urged the prime minister to fulfill his promises that he had made at the All Parties Conference, or face consequences in future.

Mr Hoti also criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insalf-led provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for failing to resolve issues of people.

He alleged that KP was facing financial and administrative crises due to ‘wrong’ policies of the provincial rulers. He alleged that the PTI government was planning to sell the government land, including the Hayatabad Industrial Zone, on throwaway rates in order to meet its financial crisis.

The former chief minister said around 22,000 labourers would lose their employment if the provincial government sold the Hayatabad Industrial Zone on nominal prices.

Mr Hoti accused the PTI of hatching a conspiracy to dissolve the provincial assembly, but said they would not let the provincial rulers to take such measures. ‘‘We will not let the ruling party to run from the political field as we want to fully expose the PTI-led government before people of the province,” he vowed.

Meanwhile, addressing a public meeting in Akbar Pura area of Peshawar on Saturday, ANP central general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the proposed blockade of Islamabad by PTI was not a good omen for the country.

It would be very dangerous for the country if the politicians commenced the blockade of the capital, he said, according to a statement. He said Imran Khan should solve all contentious issues in parliament instead of on roads. He said ANP would not be part of the efforts to ‘derail’ democracy.

Mr Hussain said Imran Khan had already staged a sit-in in Islamabad for three months and awaited the umpire to raise his finger but in vain. He said ANP also wanted an impartial probe into the Panama leaks but elements responsible for the crime should be punished without any discrimination.

The ANP leader said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should also find way for proper handling of the issue to thwart the elements determined to derail democracy. If democracy is harmed, he warned, Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif will be responsible.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2016