Seeking answers: Sikandar Hayat urges govt to investigate attack on QWP chief

Party’s provincial chairperson says QWP will contest LG polls at all levels.

PESHAWAR:

Qaumi Watan Party K-P Chairperson Sikandar Hayat Sherpao has pressed the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government to investigate the attack on the party chief’s convoy and take the culprits to task.

He was speaking at a public gathering held at Muhammad Patay in Malakand on Saturday.

“So far, the federal and provincial government has not taken proper steps to implement the National Action Plan,” the QWP leader said.  “The attack could have been prevented if the government had taken action in this regard earlier.”

Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, a former interior minister and QWP chief, survived a suicide attack on Thursday in Umerzai village of Charsadda district. During a news conference on Friday, he termed the attack an attempt to eliminate Pukhtun leadership.

Reiterating his father’s stance, Sikandar Hayat said the attack on the party’s chief is an attempt to suppress the voice of Pukhtuns.

“QWP has repeatedly raised its voice for the rights of Pukhtuns,” he said. “However, miscreant elements do not want the challenges faced by the province to be resolved. Therefore, my father’s convoy was attacked.”

According to Sikandar Hayat, such attacks will not stop the party’s leadership from safeguarding the constitutional rights of Pukhtuns.

Local govt elections

Speaking about local bodies’ polls scheduled for May 30, Sikandar Hayat said his party will contest the elections at all levels.

“The policy of pushing Pukhtuns against the wall will no longer be triumphant,” he said. “QWP leaders and workers are determined to continue their struggle for the rights of those who have been oppressed.”

He urged the Election Commission of Pakistan to ensure transparency in the polls and prevent malpractice.

Furthermore, he vehemently criticised the provincial government, saying QWP leaders will not support Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in the local government elections as the party does not prioritise development projects.

“The K-P government spent only 25% of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) last year,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2015.