CHARSADDA: Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) provincial chief Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao has demanded proper compensation to the terrorism hit Pakhtuns as they have suffered huge losses during the continuing violence.

He said that war against terrorism had caused immense destruction to Pakhtuns and that their sacrifices had no parallel in the history.

He was addressing a party meeting at Sherpao village here on Friday. The meeting was part of the mobilisation drive for the public meeting to be held on the 40th death anniversary of former KP governor Hayat Mohammad Sherpao.

Paying glowing tributes to the late leader, Sikandar Sherpao said that the deceased had laid down his life for the cause of the downtrodden and instilled political consciousness amongst them. He said that Hayat Sherpao enabled the poor to struggle against political dominance of the affluent class and fight against all social evils. He said that the QWP, keeping in view the philosophy of the late leader, was working for the rights of Pakhtuns.

The QWP leader regretted that over 50,000 Pakhtuns had sacrificed their lives and properties during the war on terror, tens of thousands of them had been forced to live in hapless conditions in camps, but unfortunately the government had ignored their plight.

Sikandar Sherpao resented that in the past the issue of terrorism had been pushed under the carpet, but the APS tragedy had awakened the conscience of the whole nation. He said that the National Action Plan should be implemented in letter and spirit as there was no room for lethargy in that regard.

He castigated the KP government for what he said having adopted criminal negligence over the issues the province was facing. He deplored that the PTI-led provincial government was the first ever government in the history which instead of working for people’s welfare was busy in agitation.

The QWP leader criticised the change in the Pak-China Economic Corridor route, saying that it would be a great injustice with the people of the province and the tribal belt. He demanded restoration of the original plan so as to redress the grievances of people.

He also urged abolishment of colonial era laws in Fata and bringing the tribal belt into the political mainstream.

Published in Dawn January 31st, 2015

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