Taking to task: Sherpao wants commission to probe APS massacre

Says the time has come to take bold decisions against terrorism.

PESHAWAR/ MARDAN: Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao asked the provincial government on Monday to form a judicial commission to probe the Army Public School massacre in Peshawar.

Speaking to a gathering at Watan Kor, the party’s central secretariat, Sherpao said the incident has shocked the entire nation. He demanded the government bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice at the earliest.

The QWP chief said political parties supported the establishment of military courts to eliminate militancy. “Now the time has some to take bold decisions and combat terrorism,” he added.

He said the country could not progress without the restoration of peace. Sherpao stressed action must be taken against all those challenging the writ of the state.

He criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led provincial government, saying those claiming to make a new Pakistan should first build a new Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

He urged the government to ensure that internally displaced persons (IDPs) return to their native areas with their dignity intact. He maintained people displaced from their homes in Waziristan due to the military operation had rendered unprecedented sacrifices for the restoration of peace. “The government should compensate these IDPs for their losses.”



On the occasion, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Karak chapter president Wahidur Rehman announced joining the QWP along with scores of his supporters.

Sherpao later said his party would strongly resist changing the route of the Pak-China Economic Corridor. “We will take to the streets if the southern belt of K-P is ignored in this mega project,” he warned.

He pointed out Karak was rich in oil and gas resources. He asked the government ensure equal distribution of funds among all areas of the province. He also urged the government to allocate funds for the Kurram Tangi Dam and Chashma Right Bank Canal projects.

Hoti urges action against militants

Former K-P chief minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti said the government must identify those with a soft corner for terrorists.

Addressing Awami National Party (ANP) activists in Bijli Ghar area of Mardan on Monday, Hoti said the all-parties conference gave a visible mandate to the government. He added those suspected of sympathising with militants must clarify whether they support the military operation or not.

Deliberating on his party’s firm stance against militants, Hoti said when all other parties were busy campaigning for general elections, the ANP was collecting the bodies of activists killed by terrorists. He added the party never shied away from taking action against militants. “Today it has been proven that this is our war and we have to fight it alone.”

Hoti also took a jibe at the PTI, saying the ruling party was yet to start any mega projects in Mardan despite winning 11 seats from the district.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2015.