Strategising : QWP chief dismisses reports of seat adjustment, deadlock with JUI-F

Sherpao says doors for electoral cooperation are open for all parties.

PESHAWAR:

Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao dismissed media reports that negotiations on seat adjustment with the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) have broken down.

Addressing a press conference at the party’s secretariat in Hayatabad on Thursday, Sherpao said an agreement on seat adjustment with the JUI-F has been reached in Swabi and Buner districts. He expressed optimism on further extending electoral cooperation in other districts.

Sherpao went a step further and said the doors for seat adjustments with other parties are also open.

Firm in his stance that elections be held on time, he said continuity of the democratic process is the only way forward to address the country’s problems. He urged the caretaker government to ensure a peaceful environment to conduct free, fair and transparent elections and said he is not in favour of boycotting them.



Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Abdul Ghaffar Khan Mohmand also announced joining the QWP and expressed his confidence in Sherpao’s leadership. Ghaffar Mohmand is expected to contest elections from NA-10 and vowed to strengthen the party.

QWP provincial Chairman Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao and other party leaders were also present.

Lashing out at nationalist leaders, QWP chairman said: “Their ill-conceived policies had exposed the Pukhtuns to a host of challenges.”

Commenting on security, Sherpao said his party has not asked the provincial government for increased protection, but said that security at polling stations should be heightened so that people can fearlessly cast their vote on Election Day.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2013.