PESHAWAR: Chairman of the Qaumi Watan Party (QWP)Aftab Ahmad Sherpao has resented the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) recent move to convene a session of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly in a cricket stadium as a “political drama”, saying the provincial government is not serious about resolving people’s ssues and safeguarding the province’s rights.

During a news conference at Watan Kor on Saturday, QWP chairman Aftab Ahmad Sherpao said the PTI government remained focused on securing the release of its founder rather than address governance challenges.

On the occasion, politicians Ismail Khan and Fazal Wahab Khan, both from Swabi, announced joining the QWP along with their families and supporters.

Mr Sherpao alleged that corruption and bribery were rampant in the province.

QWP leader says provincial govt not serious about resolving people’s issues

“Despite being in power for the last 13 years, the ruling PTI has miserably failed to resolve public problems. The provincial economy is in bad shape, while the business community is facing multiple challenges due to flawed policies,” he said.

The QWP leader said that the rising lawlessness and frequent increases in electricity tariffs had compounded the difficulties of traders and industrialists.

Expressing concern over the regional situation, the QWP leader warned that if tensions in the Middle East escalated into a prolonged conflict, Pakistan’s remittances could decline, potentially increasing poverty levels in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, whose residents were employed in Gulf countries in large numbers.

Criticising the federal government, he said the recent increase in petroleum prices would further burden people, terming it a “petrol bomb” on the people.

Referring to regional dynamics,

Mr Sherpao said Afghanistan, as a neighbouring country, required constructive engagement, so Islamabad and Kabul should resolve their differences through dialogue.

He also called for ensuring adequate facilities for the dignified repatriation of Afghan families and for easing the repatriation process.

The QWP leader stressed the need to reopen border crossings for trade, noting that the current volume of trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan is already low and needs to be enhanced.

He also expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, urging authorities to take effective measures.

Mr Sherpao said tensions involving the United States and Iran had overshadowed Pakistan’s concerns regarding cross-border terrorism, and called for sincere efforts to resolve issues between Islamabad and Kabul through dialogue.

He appreciated the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran and expressed hope that negotiations would help ease tensions and stabilise the global economy.

The QWP leader criticised the former PTI-led federal government for failing to release funds for the merged districts when it was in power at the centre.

He also warned against interference in judicial affairs through the transfer of judges among high courts, recalling that his party had expressed reservations over the 27th Constitutional Amendment at the time of its passage.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026