Talks with IMF: QWP asks govt not to succumb to pressure

PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) provincial Chairman Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao on Friday said the federal government must not accept the demands contrary to the provisions of the constitution while holding talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

In a statement issued from Watan Kor, he said the government should not accept the IMF’s conditions compromising national security. The IMF, he said, was exerting pressure on the federal government to review the National Financial Commission Award, which was in violation of the 18th amendment and against the spirit of provincial autonomy.

Sikandar Sherpao said the government must not accept every demand of the IMF for the sake of securing financial assistance.“Such demands amounted to interference in the country’s constitutional and internal affairs,” he added. Vowing to protect the rights of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, he said the party workers and leadership would foil such conspiracies.

The QWP would not allow anyone to usurp the rights of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and make a compromise on the constitutional matters, he went on to add.Sikandar Sherpao said that strong provinces guaranteed a robust federation. The QWP would spare no effort to protect the rights of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he added.