PESHAWAR, July 22: An alliance between two leading Pakhtun nationalist parties -- the Awami National Party and the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party -- is on the cards as the two parties have constituted two separate committees to finalise their recommendations in this regard.

The grand alliance with the proposed name of ‘Pakhtun Qaumi Mahaz (PQM)’ or ‘Pakhtun Ulasi Jirga (PUJ)’ is likely to be announced next month when the committees concerned give their go-ahead to the alliance after thoroughly discussing some common points, basic slogans and ‘charter of demands’.

The central leadership of both parties has already agreed on the possible alliance, which mainly focuses on a united province of the Pakhtuns living in Pakistan; a proper name of the Pakhtun province; greater provincial autonomy; right to control resources of the province; combating the rising trend of terrorism on the Pakhtun soil and stability of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The five-member ANP committee is headed by Ghulam Ahmed Bilour. Its other members are: Muhammad Afzal Khan and Abdul Latif Afridi from the Frontier province and Dr Inayatullah and Kudaidad Khan from Balochistan.

The PMAP committee is headed by Abdur Rahim Mandokhel. The other members of the committee are: Senator Nawab Ayaz Jogazai and Akram Shah from Balochistan and Dr Said Alam Mahsud and Mukhtar Khan Yousufzai from the NWFP.

The first meeting of the two committees is scheduled in Islamabad on July 25.

Acting central president of ANP Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, when asked for comment on the move, said that he was very optimistic about the future of the grand Pakhtun alliance.

He said that Pakhtun nationalists had no other option but to join hands for the survival and protection of the community’s rights.

“We are ready for going beyond an alliance or a front,” was his reply when asked about the alliance or merger of the ANP and the PMAP, saying that the central leadership of the two nationalist parties had already agreed on the formation of the alliance while the committees would discuss ways and means of the future alliance.

“The announcement of the alliance would be made public as soon as possible,” he said, adding that hopefully the ANP and the PMAP would contest coming elections on a joint electoral symbol and a common manifesto.

Dr Said Alam Mahsud, Provincial Senior Vice President of the PMAP and one of the committee members, when contacted by telephone said that the unity and harmony between the two nationalist parties would have a greater impact on national politics and issues.

“Elections are not a major issue, but all Pakhtuns have some basic problems which have to be addressed through a united platform,” he said, adding that the nationalist leaders would leave aside those issues over which the two parties had different views.

The PMAP has a stand on the 1973 Constitution, Water Accord of 1991 and PONM while the ANP has its own opinion and reservations on these issues.

When asked who will lead the possible alliance, Dr Mahsud said: “Hopefully it will not be a hurdle in the formation of the alliance as committees concerned are composed of seasoned and mature politicians who enjoy full support of their respective parties for the purpose.”