Political parties in K-P unite to tackle woes

Three party leaders decide to band together to handle critical issues

PESHAWAR:

Various political parties, including the Awami National Party (ANP), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), have decided to join forces, creating a new political alliance to tackle the storm of issues brewing including terrorism and economic woes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A committee comprising members from all participating parties has been established to draft an action plan.

The ANP, under the leadership of its provincial president Mian Iftikhar Hussain, hosted a consultative meeting at Bacha Khan Markaz on Monday.

The gathering aimed to address the spate of terrorism, worsening law and order, economic downturn, election rigging, and provincial autonomy issues.

Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that the worsening security situation and increased terrorism were the province’s most pressing issues. He criticised the government’s failure to maintain control, particularly in the southern districts, where terrorists hold sway after dark.

He lamented the lack of effective governance, particularly in southern districts He also criticised Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, alleging it was a move to curry favour with the US and stymie the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

He called for inclusive decision-making involving parliament, the public, political parties, and all stakeholders.

“Given the current situation, the public has lost faith in both negotiations and operations. Before implementing any strategy, it is essential to take the parliament, public, political parties, and all stakeholders into confidence.”

He further bemoaned that the economic issues facing the province are adding to the people's problems.

He warned that the provincial autonomy was under severe threat, and the NFC Award was being blocked. “The difficulties in the merged districts are far greater than those in other parts of the province,” he added.

Hussain further lamented that the promised annual grant of Rs100 billion and other commitments to the merged districts have yet to be fulfilled.

Mian Iftikhar Hussain further said that the country was economically enslaved by the IMF, with recent federal budgets reflecting this dependency. He called for new elections under the supervision of an independent judiciary to restore public confidence in parliament.

Other party leaders echoed similar sentiments. Pakistan Mazdoor Kisan Party central chairman Afzal Shah Khamosh stated that a continuous struggle was essential for resolving issues, stressing that it was necessary to take steps to implement the points from the last three jirgas held between political parties and other factions.

“In the current situation, the peace agenda should be taken forward as a priority.”

JUI-F’s Atta-ul-Haq Darwish rejected the current government’s operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and called for new elections. He said that establishing peace and protecting the lives and property of the people is the responsibility of the state, a responsibility it has failed to fulfil.

Meanwhile, JI’s Inayatullah Khan demanded a complete and transparent audit of previous military operations before any new actions were taken.

He stated that his party has also rejected the decision for military operations. “Before any new operation, a complete and transparent audit of all previous operations should be conducted, and all facts should be presented to the public.”