Sherpao wants CPEC secured, KP rights protected

MARDAN: Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Sherpao has said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project is a game changer for the entire region and should be provided enough security.

“The federal government should also ensure that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa gets its due share in the CPEC projects,” the QWP chief told a gathering in Ghari Kapoora village of Mardan district. A former nazim Abdul Salam Khan announced joining the QWP on the occasion.

Sherpao demanded the federal government to convene the much-delayed meeting of the National Finance Commission for timely issuance of the NFC award to share revenue among the federating units and the Centre.

“The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government is reluctant to finalise the NFC award,” he said, adding the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had suffered a lot due to militancy and lack of funds. Aftab Sherpao said that the diplomatic channels should be used to establish friendly relations with neighbouring Afghanistan to avoid isolation in the region.

He also demanded merger of Fata into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to bring an end to the sense of deprivation among the inhabitants of tribal areas. The QWP chief expressed concern over the delay in conducting census and stated that a bill in this regard had already been tabled in the National Assembly.