PESHAWAR: A former MNA from Khyber tribal district said here on Thursday that he would launch his own political party in Islamabad on the Independence Day.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club, former lawmaker ShahjeeGulAfridi said the manifesto of his party, Tehreek-i-Islahat Pakistan (TIP), would be based on peace, brotherhood and development.

Flanked by his supporters including Hafiz Malik Habib Aurakzai and Moazam Butt, he said the erstwhile Fata had been merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a result of his struggle for the purpose.

He said country’s constitution was incomplete before the merger of Fata with KP but, he added, the federal government did not fulfil its commitment with the people to release development funds and its due share in NFC award.

Mr Afridi expressed the hope that the border fencing would help control terrorism in Pakistan, saying that peace in Afghanistan was linked with peace in our country.

The new political party, he said, would take part in future elections and focus its attention on solution to real issues of the neglected tribal areas.

He said the detailed plan of the party would be unveiled on Aug 14 in Islamabad and also announced to celebrate the Independence Day in Khyber district.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2021