PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao has said that merger of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the only solution to the longstanding issues of Pakhtuns.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, he said that merge of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would ensure the unity of Pakhtuns in the region. He said that Pakhtuns were the second largest population of country and they rendered sacrifices for the country but they were not compensated and rehabilitated.

On the occasion scores of political activists led by FalakNiaz of Rigi announced to join QWP. The new entrants reposed confidence in the leadership of Aftab Sherpao.

QWP chief seeks justice for family of Naqeeb Mehsud

The QWP chief said that his party would continue struggle for redressing grievances of Pakhtuns so that they could play vital role in the mainstream. He demanded an end to the line dividing Pakhtuns between settled and tribal areas and said that Fata and KP should be united before the elections of 2018.

Mr Sherpao said that unity of Pakhtuns would bring peace and prosperity in the country. He said that QWP was struggling to merge tribal areas with the province and bring tribal people in the mainstream, however, it was unnecessarily delayed. The QWP chief said that tribal people should be given representation in the provincial assembly to resolve their problems. He said that provision of justice in Nqeebullah Mehsud killing case should be ensured and former SSP Rao Anwar should be brought to justice to address the grievances of the aggrieved family.

He said that PPP leadership created uncertainty and increased reservations among tribal people by calling Rao Anawar a “brave boy”.

Mr Sherpao criticised the provincial government and said that it failed to fulfil the commitments made by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leadership during the elections. He said that the tall claims about reforming government departments, controlling corruption and bringing changes in fate of people proved lies and exposed the true face of the PTI leadership.

He said that Inability of provincial government to properly plead the case of the province increased hardships of Pakhtuns. Mr Sherpao said that leaders of ANP and PTI were blaming each other for corruption. He said that charges of both the parties should be investigated through National Accountability Bureau.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2018