Sherpao urges Quadrilateral Coordination Group to play its role

Afghan peace process

PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party (QWP head Aftab Sherpao on Sunday said the Quadrilateral Coordination Group, which aims to facilitate dialogue between the Afghan government and the Afghan Taliban, should play its role to help bring peace in Afghanistan.

Speaking at a press conference here, he condemned the recent Lahore park blast and said that implementing the National Action Plan was the only solution to root out terrorism. Provincial Youth Assembly Chief Minister Danial Ahmad Aziz along with other members announced joining the QWP.

About the visit of the Iranian president to Islamabad, Aftab Sherpao said that government should have taken maximum benefits from this historical tour. “Some unfavourable events spoiled this opportunity and created an environment of misunderstanding between the two neighbouring countries.

Highlighting the importance of initiation of population census, Aftab Sherpao said the population of the country particularly the Pakhtuns had increased manifold during the last 18 years. “Without fresh statistics, neither the federal nor the provincial government can initiate mega as well as long term developmental projects to put the country on the path of development and prosperity,” QWP chief added.

Aftab Sherpao maintained that youth constituted more than 60 percent of the total population of the country. “Conducting fresh census is the need of the hour to help resolve educational, health and unemployment issues,” he stressed.

He said that reforms process in Fata was a good omen to bring the militancy-hit tribal areas into the mainstream of life. “It is mandatory to have fresh statistical data as it will help resolve longstanding issues and problems being faced by the people,” Aftab Sherpao highlighted.

The QWP chief said that some people were least concerned about the reforms process in Fata. “We hope that the new governor will take keen interest in merging of Fata into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he stated.

Aftab Sherpao added that his party would soon convene an All Parties Conference to highlight the need for conducting fresh population census and to put pressure on the federal government to stop using delaying tactics.