Sherpao calls for redressing Fata people’s grievances

PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Sherpao has said that grievances of the tribal people should be redressed and uplift activities initiated in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) so as to remove the uncertainty of the tribal people.

He said this while addressing a public gathering on Sunday at Gujrat village in Mardan district.

Aftab Sherpao said that people of Fata had rendered sacrifices in the fight against terrorism; however, their sacrifices had not been valued accordingly.

The QWP chairman lauded the statement of army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa about removal of the checkposts and addressing the other core issues.

He said that easing of checkposts and removal of landmines are vital issues, which should be tackled, so that peace and stability could be ensured.

Aftab Sherpao expressed satisfaction at the extension of the jurisdiction of superior courts to Fata, and said that though late, the move would be helpful to mitigate suffering of the people.

He said that QWP had struggled for the last several years to merge the Fata with KP and to bring tribal people in the mainstream; however, it was unnecessarily delayed.

Aftab Sherpao demanded the merger of Fata into KP and the representation of the Fata in the provincial assembly to overcome their problems.

He said that the provision of justice in the killing of Nqeebullah Mahsud should be ensured and the accused Rao Anwar should be brought to justice to address the grievances of the bereaved family.

Aftab Sherpao said that nobody should celebrate the lifetime disqualification of former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League leader Nawaz Sharif as the court decision was already expected.

He asked politicians to play their role in averting instability and said that lawmakers should gather to overcome the challenges.

The QWP chief said that good relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have vital significance for the regional security and fight against terrorism.

He also criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government and said that it had failed to deliver and in fulfilling its promises with the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Aftab Sherpao said that PTI was responsible for all the deteriorating conditions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying that the start of Bus Rapid Transit was based on bad faith by keeping in view the election outcomes.