PESHAWAR:
Anti-Pakhtun elements are attempting to destroy the strata of the Pakhtun society, said chairman of his own faction of Pakistan Peoples Party, Aftab Ahmad Sherpao, during a press conference on Saturday. He also criticised the inability of the government to curb violence in the volatile province.
Condemning the killing of 23 people in a bomb blast in Landi Kotal bazaar on Saturday, Sherpao said that military operations are further deteriorating the already fragile law and order situation in the region.“
All military operations conducted in the volatile tribal area were unsuccessful and failed to achieve their targets,” he said.
The lack of a comprehensive plan for the imminent 2014 NATO and US withdrawal from Afghanistan was also highlighted and the importance of policies regarding the pullout to deter any future disruption in Pakistan was emphasised.
Sherpao said the federal government’s 3D strategy – deterrence, development and dialogue – to deal with terrorism has failed, warning that “military operation in North-Waziristan Agency will have serious consequences for the entire region.”
He blamed anti-Pakhtun forces for a well-orchestrated genocide targeting innocent civilians rather than militants. “Hundred of schools have been destroyed in Malakand and tribal areas. The anti-Pakhtun elements are hell-bent to push them into the dark ages,” he said. Sherpao said that Pakhtuns are being labelled as terrorists, and deprived of basic human rights, in the name of insidious vested interests.
Referring to the Awami National Party’s (ANP) performance, Sherpao said the so-called “champions” of Pakhtun rights had done nothing for the people.
“The ANP government had promised that there will be no power outages and free electricity will be provided to the people; they then said that initial 100 units will be free, but they did not live up to the people’s expectations,” he added.
He also said that billions had been provided to the government for reconstruction of the flood-hit areas of the province and for compensation to the people affected by the war on terror, but none of the money has reached the people it was intended for.
“The amount provided by NGOs and international donors has been massively misappropriated,” he said.
Published In The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2012.
COMMENTS (8)
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Actually Aftab Sherpao himself is responsible for militancy in KP and FATA. When Lal Masjid operation was conducted, he was interior minister at that time. As a partner of Musharraf in war on terror, he should be accountaable for his role in promoting militancy. Morover, his corruption in Mehran bank scandal is a well-known fact. So it does not suit him to blame ANP; ANP has done more than what he had done when he was CM of the province.
The ANP led coalition govt is busy in corruption. How can they care about the innocent people being killed by terrorists?
I am not going to get in debate with anyone but my personal Joice would have been simply Khyber instead of KP or any other name. Like Kansas,Khyber could be used by businesses, universities and others who wanted to use it. It is a famous name, internationally recognized and easy to pronounce, I was not in favour of ANP doing it, I did not understand what did they accomplish by naming such a name and in the process polarizing the inhabitants of KP. Perhaps one could look into reverting back to Khyber and just Khyber.By the way there is no doubt that there is an orchestrated effort from some in Pakistan to malign the dignity of Pukhtuns and I appreciate Mr.Sherpao coming forward and saying it as it is. I don't hear anything from the ANP club, they are busy amassing wealth.
I request Sherpao to name the anti-Pakhtun elements.
Allah bless the Pashtuns of Pakistan. No Pashtuns = No Pakistan.
@Naeem Khan KS.: Sir in my view. I have respect for everyone and even in my family many People speak Pushto apart from Hindko and Punjabi but the difference always remain. Pukhtoons are very much respected in Pakistan. I have seen people call us Pukhtoons especially in Karachi only because of some Physical traits otherwise culturally and linguistically there is a huge difference. But the point is that Hindko is removed as the Official Language and their language is not recognized in KPK.. Secondly Why ANP enforced Pushto on us while Hindko is removed from Courses ????. Also in the case of Name Sir you name the whole region as Pakhtoonkhwa meaning Land of the Pukhtoon. Pukhtoon is a person who follow Pukhtoon Wali while we dont follow Pakhtoon Wali and speak Pushto so what should we call us then???. So if you want to give us some recognition then first change the name of KPK to KPH to reflect the identity of other people. Also there are many jokes About Hindko speakers in KPK as well and they are not good at all...:). I just want to say respect everyone and we could talk in general about Pakistanis as well. Firstly you are human being then you belong from some race and this resolves all Problems in my view
@Ordinary Villager, you may not be old enough to remember or have seen the old Pakistani movies where they always make fun of Pukhtuns, they portray them some kind of bumbling idiots running around, this stereo typing is not only confined to Pukhtuns but the whole nation. To me the assimilation was the key while living in KP, so if you have Hindko heritage, you should be proud of it and it is part of KP, why do you think Pukhtuns are racist while you yourself is considered Pukhtun to other provinces and internationally. I believe you are a bit sensitive because of your heritage, you are part of the KP history and be proud of it.Mr.Sherpao seems to have some very valid arguments about our province , it's people and the federal government, some how the Americans have been convinced that all Pukhtuns are terrorists and are killing our innocent civilians day in and day out with the connivance of this corrupt incompetent governments in Islamabad and Peshawar.
In my view Racism and Racist Supremacy is a huge Problem among Pakhtoons and since I have Hindko roots so I know despising others and calling themselves the most Superior class of Pakistan is the common talk of every Pakhtoon. Weather it is ANP or any other Party in KPK they always talk about One race superiority and one language and that is Pakhtoon and that led to Racism. When you differentiate people on the basis of Race, Color and so called Physical Superiority then problems could arise in future. No one is Angel in this world and no one is a Devil and it is the easiest thing to blame others for your own problems. Also Everyone in Pakistan is powerful enough and no one can say they stand out among other in Pakistan.or some ethnicities are weak and some are strong