Speaking out: QWP warns against revoking 18th Amendment

Urges govt to solve problems faced by IDPs on humanitarian grounds.

PESHAWAR: The Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) has warned against revoking the 18th Amendment to the Constitution saying it would resist any such move.

While addressing a public gathering in DI Khan, QWP Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said the amendment was a step towards provincial autonomy and giving rights to smaller units of the federation. “However, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is yet to get its due rights and has been subjected to prolonged power and gas outages,” said the leader.



Speaking about the issues faced by IDPs, Sherpao said the problems of displaced families have faded into oblivion due to the lack of coordination between the federal and provincial governments.

“Both governments are at loggerheads over IDPs but neither of them is willing to shoulder the responsibility. Their problems should be addressed on humanitarian grounds and not be politicised,” added the QWP chief.

Shifting the topic of discussion to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s protest on November 30, Sherpao said the party was promoting negativity and provoking its workers to resort to violence. “The protest is aimed at seeking power, they are not bothered about the problems of Pukhtuns,” he said, adding QWP would have supported PTI if it was raising its voice for the rights of Pukhtuns.

The QWP leader further said K-P was lagging behind due to ill-conceived policies of the incumbent provincial government. A prominent local political figure, Hizbullah Gandapur, joined QWP along with his supporters on the occasion.

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