Deadlock in Pak-Afghan ties can hamper peace initiatives: Sherpao
PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has warned that the deadlock in relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan can hamper peace initiatives in the region.
He claimed that the recent visit of Pakhtun leadership to Kabul had proved to be an icebreaker which could help to normalise bilateral relationship between the two neighbouring countries in future if relevant quarters took it seriously.
Mr Sherpao was speaking at a press conference at his party’s secretariat here on Sunday.
QWP chief terms Kabul visit by Pakhtun leaders ‘an icebreaker’
The QWP chairman said that peace in Pakistan was linked to restoration of peace in Afghanistan and it was a must for both the countries to take serious steps for improvement of bilateral relations and restoration of sustainable peace in the region.
The situation of mistrust between the two neighbouring countries, he suggested, should be removed and in this connection it was the responsibility of Pakhtun leadership to play a vital role to end the deadlock.
Mr Sherpa said that his party wanted improved relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan and it had been making efforts in this direction. He said that the Pakhtun belt had suffered the most for the last three decades and this was the time to double the efforts for peace in the region.
“Pakhtuns are peace-loving people and they are not terrorists,” he said and added that Pakhtuns had offered matchless sacrifices for the restoration of peace and resisted terrorism.
He said that those branding Pakhtuns as terrorists were involved in an international conspiracy against them. He added that his party leaders and workers were ready to help Pakhtuns get out of this chaotic situation being imposed on them by other forces.
About Fata reforms initiatives, the QWP leader said that the time had come to bring tribal regions into the mainstream so that the people could get their rights.
He said that his party supported the resolution by Fata parliamentarians to merge it into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the Pakhtun leadership in the province knew how to resolve issues of the tribal people.
Answering a question, Mr Sherpao said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) could help revitalise life in the militancy-hit areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, adding that this was the reason that QWP had been raising voice for building its western route on priority.
On this occasion, Malgari Doctoran’s senior vice-president Dr Sanaullah Bangash and central leader of National Youth Organisation Qaisar Khan announced joining QWP. Senior minister Sikandar Sherpao and other party leaders were also present at the press conference. The QWP chairman assured the new entrants that the party would strive for the rights of Pakhtuns and doctors’ community.
Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2015