PESHAWAR: Pakistan Democratic Movement has warned against rolling back of the 18th Amendment and demanded release of funds for development projects in tribal districts of erstwhile Fata.

Through joint resolutions at the mammoth rally held here on Sunday, Pakistan Democratic Movement criticised federal government for delay in announcement of National Finance Commission award.

Presenting resolutions in the rally, Pakistan Democratic Movement central media coordinator Mian Iftikhar Hussain warned against any change or roll back of the 18th Amendment.

“The alliance believes in supremacy of Constitution and will not allow any power to roll back the 18th Amendment, which guarantees provincial autonomy and safeguards financial rights of the federating units,” said the resolution.

Adopts resolutions at Peshawar rally; demands release of funds for projects in tribal districts

The rally demanded of the federal and provincial governments to ensure release of funds for development projects in tribal districts.

Mian Iftikhar said that despite announcements and pledges, the government did not release funds for development works in tribal districts.

“The affairs and governance of the merged districts should be handed over to a civilian administration immediately,” he said.

He said that the people of the tribal districts had badly suffered due to decade-long militancy and government should fulfil its commitments.

He also demanded implementation of the AGN Kazi committee formula for the determination of net hydel profit.

Another resolution said that PDM would not compromise on the enforcement of Constitution and rule of law in the country. The government, it said, should not create hindrances to stop people from participating in public rallies. PDM announced that protest movement would continue till the removal of “selected” government and restoration of genuine democracy.

“Our struggle will continue until the removal of Imran Khan,” said Mian Iftikhar while reading the resolution. Another resolution said that Pakistan Democratic Movement wanted free and fair elections in the country without unlawful and unconstitutional interference of institutions.

The rally demanded opening of all notified land routes with Afghanistan to promote bilateral trade with the neighbouring country.

The resolution said that opening of those land routes and provision of facilities would not only create jobs for the local people but would also bring huge foreign exchange to the country.

The resolution also spoke of the “predicament of overseas Pakistani workers” who had lost their jobs, were detained and deported by authorities in the GCC countries. It said that government and institutions should support them by taking notice of their trails.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2020