MARDAN: Awami National Party Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has said that all political parties should unite for resolving the problems of internally displaced persons (IDPs) of North Waziristan Agency.

Addressing a party gathering at Chak Hoti union council here on Wednesday, he said that the ANP leadership had convened a jirga of Pakhtun leaders to find out an immediate solution to the problems of IDPs. He asked the incumbent federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments not to politicise the matter and instead take measures for the rehabilitation of IDPs. He said that miseries of IDPs were increasing day by day due to the rulers’ negligence.

He lamented that instead of providing facilities and basic necessities to IDPs the government resorted to baton-charge of the affected people of Waziristan. He said that the inhabitants of tribal areas had been safeguarding borders of Pakistan without claiming any pay and they deserved to be honoured for that.

“It is the responsibility of all political parties of the country to set aside their political differences and get united for reducing difficulties and miseries of IDPs,” he said.

Mr Hoti said that ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan had gathered Pakhtun leadership on one table a few days ago and took a step for resolving the issue of Waziristan IDPs. He assured the affected people of tribal areas that they should not consider themselves alone, as ANP would fully support them in this difficult time. He said that all possible resources would be used to implement decisions of the tribal jirga’s next meeting.

The ANP leader urged people to forge unity for getting their rights. On this occasion, several workers of other political parties announced to join ANP and expressed confidence in its leadership.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2014