SWABI, April 24: Interior Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Monday ruled out the possibility of his faction of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP-S) merging with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) or any other political group.

“The individuality and position of the PPP-S will remain intact,” Mr Sherpao told a public meeting held in a government high school playground here. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Anisa Zeb Tahirkeli, Federal Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal and other PPP-S leaders also spoke on the occasion.

The minister criticised the political approach of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) and said that its leaders blamed the Americans as a matter of routine for all the ills in the country and the world.

“They merely exploit the religious sentiments of the people with the aim of advancing their interests.

Has the MMA succeeded in creating an Islamic system and fulfilling what it had promised the people?” he asked.

He claimed that the MMA no longer enjoyed its position among the masses as the graph of crimes had seen an upward turn, law and order situation had deteriorated and justice had not been provided to the people of the province.

He lauded the role played by Americans in the wake of last October’s devastating earthquake.

“The US and Saudi Arabia provided $500 assistance to Pakistan in our hour of need,” he said.

At present, he said, a strong government existed in the country and Pakistan had a respectable place in the comity of nations due to President Pervez Musharraf’s policies.

“The economic position of the country is far better than it was in the tenure of previous governments,” he said.

He said that Sui gas would be provided to all areas of the district by 2007.

He also announced the establishment of a police foundation public school, employment of Yousafzai tribe and Gadoon people in two FC platoons, widening of Pehur high level canal and 100 scholarships for destitute students of the district.

About Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate, he said that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was responsible for making this estate a graveyard when he withdrew generous incentives in May 1991.

“The decline of the Gadoon Estate was triggered by the withdrawal of incentives,” he said.

Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal said that Fauji Foundation Hospital would be constructed in the district and the construction of Kernel Sher Shaheed College would begin very soon. The district soldier board will also be widened, he said.

Ms Tahirkeli said that the Swabi Press Club would be constructed at the cost of Rs2 million.

He said the press club election would be held very soon and the fund announced by her was expected to be released.