File photo of Mehmood Khan Achakzai. PHOTO: NNI
While the government struggles to resume the dialogue process with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai has proposed a roadmap for restoring peace in the country.
The PkMAP chief presented his idea on the floor of the National Assembly on Wednesday, claiming it could successfully resolve all militancy-related issues by March 23, 2014.
“If I fail to restore peace, I’ll quit politics,” he announced as he outlined his roadmap, which envisages setting up a 15-member team to tackle all issues pertaining to militancy, terrorism and extremism in the country. According to Achakzai, the team – which will include three or four journalists – will ask both the civil and military leadership six to seven questions before starting work on its plan to restore peace.
“Do you [Pakistan] consider Afghanistan a sovereign state? Why have you deputed intelligence operatives along the length of your border, from China to Iran? Do you guarantee equal rights to all castes and creeds?” he said while unveiling some of the questions he had on his mind.
Although he stopped short of talking about the other questions the proposed committee would ask, Achakzai urged both the civil and military leadership to stop interference in other countries’ affairs. He added that much of Pakistan’s troubles arose because the country’s leaders had been taking orders from the United States since the days of Liaquat Ali Khan.
Achakzai, who addressed the house for 48 minutes, held the country’s two leading political parties – the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party – responsible for the continued spread of violence. He also criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan for “taking emotional decisions without knowing ground realities in the tribal belt.”
“It’s time to use our wit and apply wisdom to get rid of terrorism,” he said, stressing unity among political leaders.
Recalling Pakistan’s history, he accused the Centre of grabbing the resources of people from the provinces, especially in Balochistan, and said similar policies had led to the separation of East Pakistan. He noted Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was being similarly ignored, particularly with respect to its energy needs.
Achakzai said the Sindhis and the Seraikis should similarly receive their due rights and asked the government to declare the Federally Administered Tribal Areas a separate province. “It’s time for ending conflict [in Pakistan]. I’m 100% sure that we could deliver on this front if we give the Baloch, the Pashtuns, the Seraikis and the Sindhis their due rights.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2013.
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Poor Achakzai has not realized yet that in Pakistan people who are truthful and honest are shunned and their cries fall on deaf ears. He is talking to people who turn lies into veracities.
ET removed this article from its site altogether hours after being published. I guess Achakzai's statements ruffled some feathers. Truth is a bitter pill to swallow.
@Butt:
"Do you [Pakistan] consider Afghanistan a sovereign state."
Question is "Does Afghanistan consider Pakistan a sovereign state". So you (Afghanistan) agree to Durrand line as border and let Pakistan seal it?
Murder of first Pakistani PM by an Afghan National, Afghanistan's refusal to accept Pakistan as a UN member in 1947, military incursions in 1961 and refusal to accept international border till date speaks otherwise.
I strongly believe that it is time to forget animosities of the past and start a new relationship based on equality. But please don't play victim, Afghanistan started it, then when Pakistan became more powerful it became paranoid always wanting to control Afghanistan so they cannot create issues for them like they did in the past.
Well said!
I've got to agree with Mr Mehmood Khan Achackzai, almost, completely. In essence what he is asking those who matter to end the neo-colonialist mind-set prevailing in Pakistan and henceforth decolonize the smaller provinces and liberate the people of Pakistan and let them be truly owners of their country and participate in decision making process here.
“Do you [Pakistan] consider Afghanistan a sovereign state? Why have you deputed intelligence operatives along the length of your border, from China to Iran? Do you guarantee equal rights to all castes and creeds?”
If you answer this question, u will get solution in the answer itself. So the Achakzai, knows clearly what is the problem, YES !!!
“Do you [Pakistan] consider Afghanistan a sovereign state?"
well done, good points
nonsense politician
Leave India Kashmir. It been 65 year move on
Make him the PM of Pakistan till March 23rd, 2014...let's see if he can deliver.
He speaks the truth. Hear, hear. Though it might have been political suicide to declare such a specific date, brings back memories of IK's "90 day anti-corruption drive" nonsense.
Mr. Achakzai speaks from the heart and does not mince his words. I wish more Pakistani parliamentarians had the guts to speak the truth and hold the civil and military leadership accountable for their flawed policies.
Truely speaking, Achkai zai roadmap must be accepted regarding current conditions.Being a senior politician he is awared of demanding situation. Extremism , terrorism and militancy can not be removed from the country until/unless we give due rights to all deserving province of pakistan like Balochistan, KPK where govt generating huge revenue for country.He also give good suggestion to the government for making Federal tribla area as separate province.