Sherpao lauds services of tribesmen, says FATA’s integration in KP will help them get into mainstream

Elected representatives of PTI, ANP and JUI announce joining QWP

Rejecting the proposed constitutional amendment that seeks merger of tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Grand Tribal Jirga on Sunday demanded formation of a new province consisting of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

The Jirga comprising prominent tribal elders met at Peshawar’s Baghe Naran.

Speaking on the occasion, tribal elders said the proposed amendment prepared by the lawmakers representing FATA in the National Assembly and the Senate was not acceptable as tribesmen were not taken into confidence over the proposal.

SHERPAO SPEAKS:

On the other hand, addressing a public meeting at Pakha Ghulam, Peshawar, Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said that the integration of FATA in the KP would help the tribal people to play their vital role in the mainstream.

He said that the people of the FATA have suffered a lot and now they should be provided with opportunities to lead a prosperous life.

The QWP chairman said that the bill tabled in the Parliament regarding the merger of FATA into KPK was a first step towards the integration into the mainstream.

On this occasion, elected representatives of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Awami National Party (ANP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), including Councillor Zaheer Abbas, Naib Nazim Malik Saeed Khan, Councillor Ashfaq Ahmad Khan, Youth Councillor Zaheer Rehmad, Councillor Abida Jaffar and Councillor Saadia Bibi announced joining QWP.

Sherpao hailed the new entrants in the party, saying that they would give strength to the party. He contended that the QWP had become popular due to its policies; therefore, a large number of political workers and general public were joining the party.

He asked that pragmatic and proactive measures should be adopted to remove the problems of the tribal people and to play effective role in the national development.

About National Action Plan, Aftab Sherpao said that it had been yielding fruitful results; however, more focus was essential on it to achieve the targets. He continued that the Pakhtuns had rendered meritorious sacrifices in the war against terror which badly damaged their infrastructure and economy.

He said that the human and material sacrifices of the Pakhtuns are countless; however, they have not been properly compensated. He stressed the need for concentration on the plight of Pakhtuns and beside the rehabilitation of the affectees, the government should mainly focus on the revival of infrastructure and socio-economic development which would help redress their grievances.

He also expressed anguish over unannounced and unscheduled power load-shedding in the province. He said that the excessive load-shedding had brought the life into standstill which badly affected the socio-economic condition in the province.