MINGORA, June 26: Chairman of his own faction of Pakistan People’s Party Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Tuesday warned that cross border attacks from Afghanistan would frequently occur unless the two neighbouring countries sorted out a joint strategy to tackle militancy.

Addressing a public meeting in Shamozai here, he said it was high time to formulate an effective strategy for regional peace.

“The two countries should sense the sensitivity of the situation and join hands to bring militancy to its logical end once and for all,” he said.

The PPP-S chief stressed the need for development of a comprehensive plan for the 2014 Nato and US withdrawal from Afghanistan and said Pakistan must seriously and wisely act for chalking out a policy to protect the interest of the country that could also guard the interests of Pakhtuns on both sides of the border.

He condemned the cold-blooded murder of 17 Pakistani troops by militants in Upper Dir.

He opposed military operation in North Waziristan Agency and such an offensive would have devastating consequences for the entire region.

Referring to the growing power crisis, Mr Sherpao said the government never took the issue seriously otherwise there would have been no power crisis in the country.

“The lingering power crisis shows the government’s unconcerned and indifferent attitude towards one of most painful problems that the people of the country have been facing for the last five years,” he said.

The PPP-S chief asked the government to announce fresh elections without delay so that people could elect new leadership to take the country out of the current political crisis.

He blamed anti-Pakhtun forces for a well-orchestrated genocide of innocent civilians in the country.

“The anti-Pakhtun elements are hell-bent on pushing innocent civilians to the Stone Age. Hundreds of schools have been destroyed in Malakand Agency and tribal areas, especially of girls,” he said. The PPP-S leader said billions of rupees had been given to the government for reconstruction of flood-hit areas in the province and for compensation to the people affected by militancy and floods, but it couldn’t be spent on the people it was intended for. He said PPP-S would continue raising voice for the rights of Pakhtuns on every platform. — Correspondent