Politicians vow to work for KP’s peace

PESHAWAR: Former and sitting elected representatives from various political parties on Sunday agreed to collectively work for the restoration of peace in the province after withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan.

The former nazims, councillors, divisional and district presidents, including the ones from the merged tribal districts, former candidates for national and provincial assemblies and retired bureaucrats, attended the meeting convened by former federal minister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Khwaja Mohammad Khan Hoti at Islamabad on Saturday night.

In his welcome address, Khwaja Hoti thanked the participants and underlined the importance of peace after the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan.

Expressing disappointment over the ongoing wrangling and exchange of abusive language in the National Assembly, he requested the participants to avoid unnecessary criticism of the government. He urged them to concentrate on the issues confronting the people. He said the politicians from KP should raise the issue of the net hydel profit arrears and distribution of resources under the National Finance Commission award.

Deploring the immature attitude of some people, he said they spread hatred but added they would jointly have to work for peace, harmony and respect for the welfare of their people. Former provincial ministers including Shahzada Gustasap Khan from Hazara, Syed Zahir Ali Shah from Peshawar, Nawabzada Mohsin Ali Khan, southern district, former federal minister, Najmuddin Khan from Upper Dir, PPP MPAs Nighat Orakzai, Ahmad Karim Kundi of PPP, Ghani Gul Mahsud, Coordinator Raham Bacha Sherpao, Arbab Usman, Abdullah Yousafzai from Swabi and others delivered speeches at the gathering.

They deplored the role of federal government for not granting due constitutional rights to KP and also observed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government had failed to argue their case in the centre. Referring towards constitutional provisions, they said that KP should have been given its due rights as net hydel profit and dues for the use of its water.

They requested elders to come forward and guide them in getting provincial rights and vowed to collectively work for their rights. PPP leaders including Nayyar Bukhari, Mustafa Nawaz Kokar, senator Palwasha Khan, Faisal Karim Kundi, Qayyum Soomro, Misbahuddin, Senator Sitara Ayaz, Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, ANP’s Farid Toofan, Masood Abbas, former deputy speaker Ikramullah Shahid, PTI’s Zar Gul, Zareen Gul, Sajid Nawaz, former senior parliamentarian Habibullah Kundi, Inayatullah Jadoon, Raja Amir Zaman, Ijaz Durrani, Akbar S Baber, Shehryar Amirzeb, Khan Pervez, Pir Aslam, Mian Muzaffar Shah, Naeem Khan Umerzai, former DIG Zafrullah Khan and others were in attendance.

Terming it a historic meeting, the participants said it was the first time that the former and sitting elected members from different political parties discussed the issues. Raham Bacha Sherpao said they would hold such meetings as a number of other personalities had offered to host such meetings in future. Ending politics of hatred and initiating a new chapter of love and respect was their agenda for the solution of problems facing the people, he added.