K-P govt urged to implement FATA reforms

QWP chief says US-Taliban talks present opportunity for regional peace

PESHAWAR: Leaders of opposition parties on Sunday slammed the government for its various failings, particularly in implementing reforms in the erstwhile tribal areas.

Speaking at an even on Pashto poetry in Peshawar on Sunday, former federal minister and Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Ahmed Sherpao urged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government to implement reforms in the erstwhile federally administrated tribal areas (Fata) in letter and spirit.

He further asked the government to speed up the merger process so that better facilities, justice, and development can be provided to the people of these areas.

Sherpao, whose QWP had initially partnered with the PTI government in its previous provincial government, emphasized on the need for quickly setting up the infrastructure for the police and justice departments in the tribal districts to create the ground for development in the area.

He urged the government to establish regular courts in the erstwhile Fata since the people there have waited long enough for justice.

Talking about reports regarding negotiations between the Afghan Taliban and the United States, he said that the opportunity for peace should not be missed by all parties.

He said that peace in Afghanistan would benefit Pakistan the most as Islamabad would gain access to Central Asia for trade.

He credited the military leadership to bring the Taliban to the table.

While highlighting the role of his party in promoting literature, he said that his party had always worked for promoting Pashto language and literature. He appreciated the role of poets and writers in creating awareness amongst the public.

Further, Sherpao said that poets and writers had always created awareness amongst the public through their pen and thoughts. He promised that his party will leave no stone unturned for the betterment of Pakhtun intellectuals.

Separately, former provincial minister and senior QWP leader Sikander Hayat Sherpao criticised the economic policies of the incumbent government.

Addressing a corner meeting in PK-56, Sikander said that the PTI government was seeking loans from the World Bank for reforming the taxation system while he claimed that the government had disappointed voters by failing to provide them with any economic relief.

Sikander said that the government was raising taxes on the directions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. He added that the people were already burdened, whereas such actions would only add to the difficulties of the public.

Moreover, he said that the loans will come with stiff conditions which would ultimately hurt the economy rather than stabilise it.

Voicing concern

Former provincial information minister and Awami National Party (ANP) General Secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain on Sunday expressed concerns over rising incidents of extrajudicial killings in the country.

He warned that an inferiority complex was being fostered amongst the Pakhtoons due to the behaviour of the state. He flayed the blackout in mainstream media over the killing of Professor Armaan Loni and the Khaisoor incident.

While expressing grief over the killing of political worker Professor Arman Loni, he said that they were the followers of Bacha Khan’s non-violent philosophy. He added that every citizen reserves the right to stage a peaceful protest for his demands.

He expressed concerns over the killings of Naqeebullah Mehsud, Tahir Dawar, along with the Khaisoor and Sahiwal incidents and said that such incidents had posited a question about the writ of the government.

Hussain said that extrajudicial killings of peaceful citizens could spread chaos in the country, therefore, he urged the government to control the situation before it gets out of control.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2019.