QWP ministers resign from K-P cabinet

Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao cites PTI’s unilateral decision to end coalition reason for stepping down

PESHAWAR: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Irrigation Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao, Minister for Labour Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli, Special Assistant to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Arshad Umerzai and Adviser to Chief Minister Karim Khan resigned from their portfolios in the provincial government on Sunday.

In a press conference at Watan Kor Peshawar, Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao shared that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s unilateral decision to end coalition with QWP in the province was disappointing and it was a political suicide for PTI.

He confirmed that two ministers from QWP, special assistant and advisor to chief minister have submitted their resignations and also announced separation from PTI in the KP government.



Party chairman made it clear that PTI-QWP coalition was limited only to the province and not in the centre. This, he said, could be a reason for PTI to dissolve the partnership.

Sherpao explained that according to the signed agreement, it was decided that QWP would share power in the province while both parties would pursue their own agendas in the centre.

He said that QWP supported opposition parties in the centre and welcomed the Supreme Court decision against Nawaz Sharif in the Panamagate case.

K-P Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, he said, was aware of the entire situation because without his nod PTI spokesperson could not have taken the decision.

“We are not disappointed over PTI’s decision to end the coalition but over the provincial government’s immature behaviour,” Sherpao said, adding that they received the news through media and PTI had not even consulted them before taking the decision.

Sherpao said that QWP raised voice for Pakhtun rights in the past and will continue to do so in the future.



It is pertinent to mention that QWP had joined PTI-led K-P government when it took charge after the 2013 general elections.

On November 9, 2013, however, PTI chief Imran Khan expelled two QWP ministers Bakht Badar and Abrar Tanoli on charges of corruption.

Similarly, on August 8, 2015 QWP rejoined PTI and signed a seven-point agreement to share power in the province and QWP Provincial Chairman Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao was given the portfolio of irrigation minister and Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli appointed labour minister. QWP MPAs including Arshad Umarzai and Karim Khan were made special assistant and adviser to the chief minister.