ABBOTTABAD: Qaumi Watan Party chief Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has expressed serious concerns over the situation in the country.

He said that worsening economic conditions and incidents of terrorism had made the electioneering difficult. The government should ensure protecting of political leaders and candidates, he added.

Addressing a meeting in connection with election campaign, Mr Sherpao said that government should remove the apprehensions of people and restore their confidence in the election process.

He said that an impression was created that the caretaker government failed to fulfil its responsibilities. He asked the government to ensure free and fair elections to remove uncertainty among the people.

He said that the country was faced with worse economic situation. “It is the responsibility of the government to devise a policy to steer the country out of this situation,” he added.

Mr Sherpao said that irrespective of personal and political considerations, the whole nation should work on war footing to save the country. He said that the caretaker government should focus on good governance, rights of people and economy.

The QWP chief said that it was not time for point scoring but all forces should come forward to plan take measures for resolving the issues faced by the people.

He said that all political parties should unite to work for the development of the country and restoration of peace. He said that QWP believed in democratic process.

Mr Sherpao said that the country was passing through a critical juncture therefore it was need of the hour to chalk out a comprehensive strategy to steer out the country of the turmoil.

He said that Pakhtuns had rendered matchless sacrifices in the war against terrorism and stepmother attitude with them would not be acceptable.

Mr Sherpao said that QWP was struggling for the welfare of Pakhtuns and it would leave no stone unturned to ensure provision of their rights.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2018