QWP asks govt to reopen borders with Afghanistan

PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) chief Aftab Sherpao has asked the government to reopen the border at Torkham and Spin Boldak to solve people’s problems and develop friendly relations with Afghanistan.

Speaking at a news conference at the party secretariat here on Saturday, the former interior minister said that closure of the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan caused losses to the traders.

“Both Pakistan and Afghanistan need to undertake confidence building measures in order to reduce the trust deficit,” he said and stressed on the need to use diplomatic channels to develop mutual understanding between both the countries.

He said that student exchange programmes should be held in order to develop an understanding between citizens of both the countries.

Sherpao expressed concern over the recent wave of terrorist attacks across Pakistan.

He said that merger of Fata and KP would make KP the second largest province of the country, and would also be helpful in reducing militancy in the country. He said the merger would provide Fata people access to law-enforcement agencies of the province, in addition to extending the jurisdiction of the judicial system to Fata.

The QWP chairman criticised the steps by Punjab police to marginalise and harasses Pakhtuns residing in Punjab and stated that the propaganda should be stopped that is linking terrorism with Pakhtuns. He said racism in the country may post threat to integrity of the federation.

He added that the National Action Plan, framed after the army school attack, was not implemented in letter and spirit, due to which terrorists are once again threatening the peace of the country. On the occasion, he welcomed Saeed Khan from Shabqadar, who announced joining QWP along with his supporters.