Taking a jibe: Strain in ties with Kabul a policy failure, says Asfandyar (National)

ANP chief criticises Nawaz’s policies

MINGORA: The Awami National Party Chief Asfandyar Wali Khan on Monday lashed out at the federal government, saying the country was facing crisis owing to the policies of the Nawaz-led government.

“Pakistan has never enjoyed a cordial relationship with India,” he said, adding that New Delhi’s policies have always been hostile towards Pakistan.

“But the poor foreign policy of the central government is forcing our friend Afghanistan, to reconsider its ties with Pakistan,” Asfandyar added.

Addressing a gathering at Shah Dehrai, area of Kabal tehsil, the ANP chief said that owing to the government’s poor polices Pakistan was being pushed towards isolation.

He also slammed the polices of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and said that the provincial government was ‘wasting time’ in staging protests and sit-ins. “The people voted for PTI just because they pledged to bring about change which was actually a political stunt to bag votes.”

He mocked the K-P government saying that it could not even secure its due share from the central government in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

“CPEC, for the Pashtun belt, is no less than a dream as the Punjab-based central government is not interested in the completion of the western route and the PTI-led provincial government can’t take a firm stand to guard Pashtuns’ share in the project,” Asfandyar added.

He ruled out possibilities of a military coup in the country and added that the 18th-amendment had strengthened democracy and democratic institutions and also the role of media.

He further said that ANP had a bright future and was all set to earn its provincial government status in the next general elections of 2018.

Former K-P chief minister Haider Hoti, former members of provincial assembly Waqar Khan and Sher Shah Khan also addressed the rally.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2016.