PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party on Sunday expressed its dissatisfaction over the 100-day performance of the government and said that it even did not change its ‘flawed’ foreign and economic policies to improve relations with the neighbouring states and steer the country out of the financial crisis.

Speaking at a meeting of party’s central executive committee here, QWP chairman Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao claimed that owing to failure of the rulers the country had become isolated and needed to change its foreign policy.

He said that the rulers even could not prove their capability to run the country’s affairs in the first 100 days. He said that the country’s economic situation was worsening with each passing day and the government was unable to overcome the prevailing crisis.

Reiterates his party’s demand for new social contract

Mr Sherpao said that the federal government even could not start delivering on its pledges. “The government has been unable to set its priorities to provide some relief to the people,” he claimed. He warned the rulers against making any bid to introduce presidential form of government, saying that parliamentary form of government should be strengthened by removing flaws without any delay.

He demanded that the conditions attached to the Saudi aid and details of the PM’s China visit should be made public. He suggested formation of supreme courts in the provinces and a constitutional court in the centre. Reiterating his party’s demand for introducing a new social contract, he said it would help ensure the rights of smaller provinces.

The QWP leader said that the federating units should be strengthened and warned against undoing the 18th Amendment.

Underlining the need for building new reservoirs, he said dams could not be built through donations. He said that the looming water crisis would take its toll on the country’s fledgling economy if corrective steps were not taken. However, he said that controversial issues should not be touched as it could lead to anarchy.

Mr Sherapo expressed his party’s concern over the fresh wave of terrorism and said that anti-state elements were bent on damaging the country’s interests, but the government was unable to devise an effective strategy for restoration of peace.

Party’s provincial chairman Sikandar Sherpao, general secretary Hashim Babar and other leaders also shared views about different issues and vowed to strengthen QWP’s organisational units in various districts.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2018