Unacceptable divisions: Pukhtun nationalists protest against new province move

Workers of various parties gather, say change of province’s name also unacceptable.

DI KHAN: Local leaders and workers of Awami National Party, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party and Pakistan Peoples Party came out on the streets on Friday to protest against the recently-passed resolution of Hazara province in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Assembly.

The rally, in which hundreds of people participated, began from the General Post Office Chowk and reached Toppan Wala Chowk via Circular Road. The protesters were holding banners against the resolution and chanting slogans against the K-P government. The flow of traffic remained blocked at the chowk, while the protesters were addressed by Pukhtun nationalist leaders.



“This recent resolution passed in the K-P Assembly is unacceptable to us,” said Muhammad Ali Wazir, who unsuccessfully contested the election from NA-41 South Waziristan. “We will not let them divide Pukhtun land and we will also not allow the changing of the name of K-P.”

A local resident, Shahbaz, said although he does not belong to any party, he had joined the protest because he is Pukhtun. “If there is going to be a division of the provinces, it should be done everywhere; starting with Punjab,” said Shahbaz.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2014.