K-P’s politicos call for end to impasse in Islamabad

Urge PAT, PTI and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif solve crisis through dialogue.

PESHAWAR: Terming Saturday night’s clashes in Islamabad harmful to democracy, political leaders in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa urged stakeholders to work towards a swift resolution of the crisis.

In a press statement issued on Sunday, Awami National Party’s parliamentary leader Sardar Hussain Babak said, “The recent violent acts and confrontation confirms the lack of tolerance and patience among leaders from both ruling and opposition benches.”

Babak added the agitation by both political parties and police action against the protesters could damage the country’s image in the world. Thus both sides must review their acts and resolve their differences through peaceful and political means.

The ANP leader also condemned police violence against media personnel in the federal capital and urged the government to take action against responsible officials.

However, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl lashed out at PTI and PAT leaders and held them responsible for the violent clashes.

JUI-F leader from Nowshera Malik Omar Farooq said in a press statement: “PTI Chairman Imran Khan is bent upon derailing democracy in order to hide his party’s failure in K-P.”

Farooq urged Imran and PAT chief Tahirul Qadri to reassess their policies and work toward resolving the political crisis. The JUI-F leader also urged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his allies to be patient and wary of “the enemies of democracy who are waiting for the chance to derail it.”

The Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) also remained critical of PTI’s K-P leaders and accused them of misusing official resources on “aimless sit-ins while the vital issues of the province have been put on the backburner.”

According to a statement issued by the party, at a public meeting in Akhunabad, Peshawar, QWP parliamentary leader Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao said the PTI government has been ignoring the problems of the province for the sake of a sit-in in Islamabad.

“The provincial government has been stationed in the federal capital for the last two weeks and has left the masses helpless,” said Sherpao.

After having enjoyed the provincial government for the last 14 months, said Sherpao, now PTI has raised  hue and cry over rigging just to mislead the people. The irresponsible attitude of PTI has led the province to political instability, financial degradation and social unrest, he added.

The protests in Islamabad have threatened the federation and put democracy and the Constitution in jeopardy, said the parliamentary leader. Sherpao urged PM Nawaz Sharif to resolve the crisis through dialogue and refrain from using violence.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1^st, 2014.