CHARSADDA: Qaumi Watan Party chief Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Friday condemned terrorist attacks on election rallies in Bannu and Mastung areas and warned that political instability would harm democratic process in the country.

Addressing a public meeting in Khesara Nehri area here as part of his party’s election campaign, he said targeting politicians ahead of general elections was not a good omen for democratic process in the country.

He asked the provincial and federal governments to ensure the safety of leaders and activists of political parties for smooth electioneering and transparent elections.

The QWP chief said terrorism had played havoc with the lives of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and adjoining erstwhile tribal areas and therefore, it was time for the government to take effective steps to tackle the menace.

He sympathised with the families of the people, who were killed and injured in the bomb blasts, and said the bloodshed had caused unrest among people across the country.

“All political parties and stakeholders should take a unified stand against terrorism for the protection of public life and property,” he said.

Mr Sherpao said his party believed in the continuation of democratic process and national unity to work for maintaining peaceful political atmosphere and steer the country out of crises.

He said peaceful political struggle was the right of political parties and the government should protect it by all means. The QWP chief asked the PML-N to adopt a peaceful way of protesting on the homecoming of its leader, Nawaz Sharif, saying any adventurism would be harmful to political process in the country.

He said Pakhtuns had rendered matchless sacrifices for the welfare of Pakhtuns and therefore, his party won’t accept any unfair attitude on part of the federal government towards them.

Mr Sherpao said the QWP had long been making a struggle for the welfare of Pakhtuns and would continue working for the protection of their rights.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2018