PESHAWAR, July 29: Chief of PPP (Sherpao) Aftab Sherpao has called for granting more autonomy to provinces and said it would strengthen the democracy.

Speaking at a gathering of party activists at People’s House here, the former chief minister suggested reducing the number of ministries at the federal level and distribution of resources among the provinces on the basis of population as well as their backwardness.

He said it would help the federating units to achieve economic stability.

He proposed that the Centre should decrease its expenditures and utilize the amount for the development of the provinces.

Aftab Sherpao said in the wake of Sept 11 incident the situation had changed to a great extent.

He maintained that we had provided shelter to the Afghan refugees which put a burden on our resources.

He deplored that both the NWFP and Balochistan had to bear the brunt due to the presence of millions of refugees.

He called upon the international community not to delay its reconstruction plan as it would perpetuate uncertainty among the people.

He suggested that a development package should be included in the Afghan reconstruction plan.

He resented the maltreatment being meted out to Pakhtoons in the new setup in Afghanistan and said it was causing a sense of deprivation among Pakhtoons living in Pakistan.

He argued that renaming NWFP as Pakhtoonkhwa was a longstanding demand of the Pakhtoons and should be made a part of constitutional amendments.

The NWFP Assembly, he recalled, had twice passed resolutions favouring the renaming of province as Pakhtoonkhwa.

Welcoming newcomers in the party, he said they would strengthen the party.

He asked the party workers to expedite their endeavours for October elections. He claimed that the party enjoyed overwhelming public support.

On this occasion leaders of ANP, Haji Awal Shad Khalil, Mukhtiar Ahmed Khalil, and Sher Nawaz Khan along with family members and scores of companions announced joining PPP (Sherpao).

They reposed full confidence in the leadership of Aftab Sherpao. —PPI