Afghan shelling: QWP calls for resolving issues diplomatically

Expressing concern over the escalating tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) provincial chairman and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Senior Minister Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao said that the deterioration of ties was not in the interests of both countries and urged that all outstanding issues should be resolved through diplomatic means.
He was addressing a public gathering at village Sheikh Mahmmado Peshawar wherein Nazim Hidayat Ullah along with General Councilors and scores of his supporters joined QWP. He expressed anguish over the killing of seven people in Chaman border firing and sympathized with the bereaved families. He said that Pakistan and Afghanistan had historic brotherly relations therefore instead of antagonistic attitude concerted efforts should be made for peace and stability in the region.
Sikandar Sherpao said that any stopgap arrangements short of FATA-KP merger would not offer a lasting solution to the problems of tribal people. He said that full-blown merger would help redress the grievances of the tribal people. He contended that the FATA-KP merger would help strengthen the unity of Pakhtoons and it would also usher in a new era of progress and development.
Lambasting at the federal government, he said that the smaller federating units had been denied their financial resources which brought miseries to the masses. He regretted that federal government was not taking interest in the problems of the KP. He said that fruition of the 18th Amendment had not been devolved to the provinces which were contrary to the spirit of the Constitution. He resented that the Constitutional Forums such as Council of Common Interests, National Economic Council and National Finance Commission had not been properly utilized which deepened the mistrust between the federation and federating units.
Mr. Sherpao criticized the unannounced and unscheduled load shedding in the province that bought the socio-economic life to standstill. He said that KP was the largest hydro-electro generator but it had been denied in net hydel profit and electricity. He said that QWP was struggling for the rights of Pakhtoons in the region and its only aim was the unity, prosperity and development of Pakhtoons. He appealed to all democratic, progressive, nationalist and patriotic forces to join hands with QWP to meet the challenges of 21st Century.