Chairman, Qaumi Watan Party Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao has reaffirmed his stance on merger of FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and termed it as the only way to resolve the long-standing deprivations and exploitations of Pakhtun nation. While addressing a gathering in Ahmed Khel area of Peshawar, Sherpao stated that the federal government should realise the importance of maintaining a strong federation by ensuring provision of rights to the smaller federating units.

On the occasion, hundreds of people including local Nazims and councillors announced joining QWP. Aftab Sherpao also emphasised on the importance of upgrading the transmission lines in KP in order to provide a friendly investment climate. He added that the federal government should ensure timely provision of the net hydel arrears in order to ensure sustainable development of the province. He criticised the delay in provision of net hydel profits and stated that such delays hamper the developmental schemes in the province.

While expressing his views on the integration of FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the chairman clarified that the integration will make Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the second largest province and it will put an end to the decades of exploitation of people of FATA. He stated that the people of FATA have been deprived of development in all sectors despite the fact that the people of FATA have rendered numerous sacrifices of defending the country. The chairman stated the Qaumi Watan Party will raise voice for the rights of Pakhtun nation on every platform and also expressed his firm conviction on winning the upcoming general elections in the province.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017