PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party Chairman Aftab Ahmad Sherpao has accused the provincial government of ignoring opposition parties while negotiating with the federal government.
Addressing a public gathering in Tangi, Charsadda on Saturday, Sherpao said his party had joined hands with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government to ensure the rights of the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
“We had even protested outside Parliament House with PTI,” he said. “However, the government has ignored the opposition parties while negotiating with the federal government regarding problems of the province.”
According to the QWP chief, the situation has worsened due to the provincial government’s stance.
“QWP and other opposition parties will not compromise on the rights of Pukhtuns,” Sherpao said. “We will continue to struggle on all platforms until the job is done.”
Under the shadow
Sherpao said the federal government has not paid much attention to the challenges faced by K-P.
“The government’s apathy will further increase the sense of deprivation felt by the people of the province,” he added.
Speaking about the recent attack on his life, he said both the federal and provincial governments had failed to implement the National Action Plan to improve law and order in the country.
“Strong, coordinated and indiscriminate action is needed to eliminate militancy from the country,” he added.
A question of necessity
Sherpao further said the China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) should not be altered.
“Pukhtuns have faced economic deprivation for the last three decades due to an imbalance of power in the region,” he said. “The current government is adding fuel to fire by diverting economic opportunities from their areas.”
According to Sherpao, QWP is aware of the importance of the trade route and will not allow the route to be changed.
“In the past two years, the provincial government has not utilised development funds on major projects,” he said. “The province has vast reservoirs of natural resources but the current government does not want to reap maximum benefits from these resources.”
Taking stock
Speaking about prolonged power outages in the province, Sherpao said K-P produces more electricity than it needs. “Yet its inhabitants have to endure power outages for 18 to 20 hours every day,” he said.
According to the QWP chief, the provincial government has not come up with a strong case to obtain net profits from the federal government as per the National Finance Commission Award.
“Media statistics indicate the performance of provincial government in the development sector is limited as compared to other provinces,” he said. “This clearly shows their inefficiency.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 17th, 2015.
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