CHARSADDA: Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Saturday condemned the terrorist attack on the Mianwali airbase and said the federal and provincial governments should sit together to come up with a strategy to curb terrorism.

Addressing a public gathering in Kangra union council of Shabqadar tehsil here, he said terrorism was again rearing its ugly head, and demanded prompt action to nip the evil in the bud.

Expressing concern over the fresh wave of terrorism across the country, he condemned the attacks on the police and army personnel in Dera Ismail Khan and Gwadar.

On this occasion, Mian Usman Shah announced joining the QWP along with his family and supporters.

Condemns attack on Mianwali airbase

Welcoming the announcement of the date for next elections, Mr Sherpao said the government should create an environment conducive for holding the polls. He said a ‘level playing ground’ should be provided to all the political forces to ensure a free and fair election. “The announcement of the election date has ended the uncertainty surrounding the polls,” he remarked.

“Our party had suggested at the time of making the 18th Amendment to do away with the caretaker setup,” he said, adding that under the 1973 Constitution, there was no concept of installing the caretaker government. He said that the Election Commission of Pakistan should be strengthened to conduct the polls.

Mr Sherpao said whichever party formed the next government should amend the Constitution and abolish the role of caretakers in future. He cited the example of India, Bangladesh and other regional countries, where there was no role of the caretakers.

Aftab Sherpao said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf ruled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for nine straight years, but left the province in dire financial straits. He said the provincial government lacked money to pay salaries to employees. “KP is facing a host of problems due to the incompetence and misrule of the previous PTI government,” he added.

He also condemned the Israeli aggression against the innocent Palestinian people and said hundreds of children were killed in the bombing. He expressed concern over the ‘lack’ of unity among the Muslim countries for being unable to stop the killing of Palestinians.

The QWP leader said the US was backing the Zionist regime, which was committing atrocities with impunity. He called for a two-state solution to the Palestinian conflict.

Aftab Sherpao claimed that PTI leader Imran Khan was the main character behind the May 9 attacks on the military installations and government properties.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2023