QWP pushes for FATA-K-P merger before 2018 polls

Sikandar Sherpao says integration of tribal areas will make K-P second largest province

PESHAWAR: Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) should be integrated into Khyber-Paktunkhwa before the 2018 general elections to ensure proper representation of the Pakhtun people in the National Assembly and Senate, said Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Provincial Chairman Sikandar Sherpao.

“Merger of Fata will make K-P the second largest province of the federation,” he said speaking at a press conference in Watan Kor, Peshawar.

The emergence of a stronger and bigger Pakhtun province would put an end to the decades of exploitation of people of the area. Earlier scores of PML-N members from provincial assembly constituency PK-1 announced to join QWP ranks.

On the occasion the new entrants reposed their trust on the leadership of Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao and Sikandar Sherpao and the QWP to put province on the path of progress and prosperity. Sinkandar emphasised that Fata should be integrated into K-P before the general elections in 2018 so that proper representation of the Pakhtuns in the National Assembly and Senate is made possible.

He said no plan except the full merger of the tribal areas with the rest of K-P would be acceptable to QWP. “With the abolition of Frontiers Crimes Regulation (FCR), the tribal people will get rights like the rest of the citizens of Pakistan,” QWP provincial chairman said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20^th, 2017.