Pak-Afghan friendly relations imperative for durable peace: Sherpao

PESHAWAR, March 20: Qaumi Watan Party Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has said that both Pakistan and Afghanistan should establish friendly and cordial relations in order to achieve durable peace and sustainable development in the region. He said that Pakhtun population has been directly affecting whenever there exists lack of trust and misunderstanding between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He called upon Pakhtun leaders to get united as unity is the only solution to the problems being faced by Pakhtuns.
QWP Chief has stated this while addressing a press conference at Quetta Press Club on Sunday. He was accompanied by QWP Provincial Chairman and KP Senior Minister Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao. On the occasion, leaders from different political parties joined QWP.
He called upon leaders of both states to fabricate a favorable environment for trade and commerce and devise policies to further increase people- to-people interaction across the border.
Talking about issue and problems being faced by Pakhtuns, Aftab Sherpao said federal government should ensure equal rights and equal distribution of resources among all federating units. “In order to end grievances of people especially the Pakhtun population government should have to initiate fresh population census without any further delay so as the smaller provinces may be able to get and spend funds according to their needs,” he demanded.
About Fata’s integration into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, QWP chairman said present system under FCR in tribal belt has drastically failed in giving relief to the tribal people and the merging of Fata into KP province is the only solution to bring peace, development and prosperity back to the militancy-hit areas.
He added that the unification would further make strong voice of the Pakhtuns and it would bring positive impacts on the socio-economic life of the tribesmen in future.
Commenting on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Aftab Sherpao said,
“The multi-billion project can be proven a game changer for Pakistan as well as entire region in the near future. It is testing times for the federal government that how it can make it happen so as to get maximum benefits from this mega project”.
He added, “Government should give keen focus on the construction of its western route because this route is considered to be a real game changer for the terrorism affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Fata and Balochistan because it is a matter of life and death and a ray of hope for them”.-Online