DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Oct 5: The senior vice-president of Awami National Party and ARD, D.I.Khan district, Aziz-ul-Hasan Wazir, has condemned a demand for a separate province for Pukhtoons, to be named as Qabailistan, and permanent rehabilitation of Afghan refugees in it. The demand was voiced by Tehrik Ittehad- i-Qabail (TIQ). Mr Wazir termed it another conspiracy for the division of Pukhtoons.

In a statement released on Friday, he said it was Pukhtoons’ misfortune that in the beginning, the tribes were bifurcated as Pakistanis and Afghans; and later, as Northern and Southern Pukhtoons. The division aimed at serving the vested interest of the rulers, he said. Today, once again, some “ traitors” among the Pukhtoons were demanding further division of Pukhtoons, which could not be accepted at any cost, he added.

Mr Wazir said the government should establish more camps for Afghan refugees across the country, if necessary. He said Afghans were their brothers but the demand for permanent rehabilitation of all refugees in a specific area or province was unacceptable as people living there could resist the move and the situation might turn grave.

Mr Wazir said the country needed complete national unity in the current critical situation. But, unfortunately , he added, the Tehrik Ittehad-i-Qabail was trying to undermine peace and create problems for the country.