Daily Times

PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party Chairman Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao has univocally demanded an end to the line dividing Pakhtoons between settled and tribal areas saying that FATA and KP should be united before the elections of 2018.

Uniting Pakhtoons in Pakistan would usher an era of peace and prosperity in the country, Aftab Sherpao expressed these views while addressing the inauguration ceremony of two small dams in Matta area of District Charsadda.

While addressing the gathering, Sherpao clarified that Pakhtoon nation have rendered numerous sacrifices financially and with their lives and its time that the federal government realises their sacrifices instead of turning a deaf ear towards their demands.

He said that KP is the largest producers of gas and oil in Pakistan. Moreover the area of Pakhtoona is rich in natural resources. But the federal government, under its malicious design, has taken control over these resources due to which people of KP have been deprived of any prospects of development.

Additionally, the federal government is also trying to single out KP from the developmental schemes associated with the CPEC project. Aftab Khan appealed to the Pakhtoon nation to unite and start a peaceful struggle demanding their due rights and to unite the people of KP and FATA.

The chairman clarified that it is important to provide all the federating units in Pakistan with their due rights in order to ensure a strong federation. He stated that if the federal government limits its developmental agenda to Punjab, and ignores the sacrifices of Pakhtoon nation, it will have a negative impact on the federation.

The chairman also criticized the federal government regarding the Munda dam and clarified that despite the completion of its feasibility study, the federal government has been delaying its construction program due to which there is shortage of electricity and water for irrigation purposes.

With regard to the construction of two small dams, the chairman directed the Senior Minister for irrigation, Sikandar Khan Sherpao to ensure construction of approach roads for the locals along with ensuring provision of jobs to the local people.

While addressing the gathering, Senior Minister Sikandar Khan Sherpao added that with the successful completion of two small dams, irrigation will become possible on 3000 acres of land along with providing access to clean drinking water for over 10000 people.

The minister also stated that an approach toad will be constructed along with the dams in addition to ensuring provision of jobs to the local people of the area. The minister also ensured due compensation to people whose land will be occupied by the construction of the dams. The minister also directed the authorities concerned to complete a detailed design of the dam within 4 months time in order to ensure its timely completion.

MPAs Arif Ahmed zai, Khalid Khan, Sultan Muhammad Khan and Advisor Arshan Khan Umarzai were also present on the occasion.