PESHAWAR: The Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) has expressed concern about the worsening law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially in tribal districts, over terrorist attacks and urged the federal government to take steps for the protection of public life and property.

Addressing workers from Mohmand tribal district in his party’s secretariat here on Monday, QWP provincial chairman Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao said the residents of tribal districts were dissatisfied with the performance of rulers due to failure to provide the people with healthcare, education and other essential facilities.

He said the government was delaying the release of funds promised for tribal districts.

Mr Sikandar said the ruling PTI had backtracked on its pledges causing a sense of despondency among the people of tribal districts. He urged the government to release the required funds for the uplift of underdeveloped areas.

The QWP leader called for the implementation of Fata reforms in letter and spirit to bring the region into the mainstream.

He flayed the government over ‘failure’ to implement the National Action Plan on security and said had the NAP been enforced in letter and spirit, the security situation would have been much better.

Mr Sikandar feared that if immediate steps were not taken, the government wouldn’t be able to control lawlessness.

He expressed serious concern about terrorist acts in different provinces and demanded prompt action to ensure the safety of the people and their properties.

The QWP leader said the government had miserably failed to control skyrocketing inflation and thus, rendering the people’s life miserable.

Politician from Haleemzai Shatai Kor area Malik Mohammad Nazir, son of Malik Bakht Mir, and the grandson of late Nawabzada Malik Shahzada Mir, a former member of Majlis-i-Shura, announced the joining of the QWP.

Mr Nazir said he would play his role for strengthening the party in Mohmand tribal district.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2022