Census issue should not be politicised: Sherpao

Says delay in Munda Dam construction causing electricity shortage

PESHAWAR: Chairman Quami Watan Party (QWP) Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has criticised the federal government, saying that despite the fact that the feasibility report of the Munda Dam is ready, the construction on the project has been delayed which has caused severe water and power shortage for irrigation purpose in the lower parts of K-P.

He was addressing a public gathering at Shabqadar Charssada on Saturday, wherein a prominent political figure of the area, Malik Alam Khan, along with scores of his family members and supporters joined the QWP.

The new entrants praised the leadership of Aftab Khan Sherpao, calling him the only leader who is severing Pakhtuns and the people of the province in real terms.

According to Sherpao, K-P is the largest producers of gas and oil in Pakistan, but the federal government, under covert designs, has taken control over the resources due to which the people of K-P have been deprived of the development.



He asked the government to stop with the delaying tactics and not create hurdles that might cause Pakhtuns their welfare and prosperity, and to ensure construction of the Munda dam at the earliest.

Sherpao said the delay in holding census and ignoring people’s reservations over its results created hurdles in delimitation. He said the results would badly affect the share of the smaller provinces in the National Finance Commission Awards and services and strength in parliament. He said that the vital issue should not be politicised.

The QWP chairman demanded an end to the line dividing Pakhtuns in settled and tribal areas, and said that FATA and K-P should be united as early as possible. Uniting Pakhtuns in Pakistan would usher into an era of peace and prosperity in the country, he said.

He clarified that it is important to provide all the federating units in Pakistan with their due rights in order to ensure a strong federation. “If the federal government limits its developmental agenda to Punjab, and ignores the sacrifices of the Pakhtun nation, it will have a negative impact on the federation,” he warned.