Remembering Hayat Sherpao: QWP chief raises a voice for Pukhtuns

Flays govt for not providing K-P its due share

SHABQADAR: Qaumi Watan Party Chairperson Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has said the international community should take Pukhtuns into account before making policies which involve Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

He was speaking at a ceremony organised in Tangi, Charsadda on Sunday to commemorate the 41st death anniversary of former K-P governor Hayat Muhammad Khan Sherpao. “Pukhtuns have been deprived of their rights ever since Pakistan came into being,” he said. “We have been geographically divided. Our resources have also been unfairly divided.”

The QWP chief said, “Pukhtuns should be given their due rights. If this does not happen, we will be forced to take drastic steps to win back our rights.”

Need for unity

According to Aftab, Pukhtuns are going through a “crucial phase in history”. “At this stage, we need unity among Pukhtuns,” he said. “If we do not unite, Pukhtuns will disappear from the map of the world.”

Aftab urged Pukhtun leaders to come forward, rally support for the cause and guide the people towards prosperity. “In the past, political workers made sacrifices,” he said. “Now, the leadership must render sacrifices for the Pukhtun nation.”

Sherpao urged ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan to guide people during these difficult and dangerous times when schoolchildren are being targeted.



“Many students are despondent and we should give them courage at this time,” he said.

According to the QWP leader, if children are deprived of their right to education, there is a strong likelihood that they will pick up arms. “This is not favourable for the nation,” he added.

Sherpao said Pukhtun are fighting against militancy. “However, at the same time, they have been deprived of their rights,” he said. “The federal government has ignored K-P’s interests in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project and a host of other matters.”

As per the QWP chief, the province has also not received its due share in many respects.

“We are producing more electricity than our annual consumption,” he said. “And yet, prolonged power outages in our province have become the norm.”

Sherpao added, “Many people have lost their lives in militancy-related incidents in K-P. And yet, the province has not received its due share of funds received to counter the effects of terrorism.”

The QWP chief also criticised the failure to implement National Action Pakistan in letter and spirit.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th,  2016.