ANP demands merger of FATA into KP

Rifaqat Ullah Razarwal
CHARSADDA: Central President of Awami National Party (ANP), Asfandyar Wali Khan on Saturday demanded from the center government merge the Fata into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and also asked the prime minister to fulfill the promises in regards of CPEC for the KP.
This he said while addressing to workers convention at PK-18 Utmanzai on Saturday. He said that it is very surprising that a Pakhtun nationalist is opposing the merger of Fata into KP, while pointing towards Mehmood Khan Achakzai.
Asfandyar added that ANP along with other mainstream political parties are demanding the immediate merger of tribal region with KP.
Addressing to convention, Asfandyar Wali announced that his party would convene a ‘grand jirga’ in Peshawar in March to muster the support of tribal elders on the status of Fata. He said elders and political workers of different parties would be invited to attend the jirga.
“There is no logic to oppose the merger of Fata with KP province,” he said.
Asfandyar added his party would continue struggle for the eradication of black laws from tribal region and bring people of Fata to the mainstream.
“The time has come to abolish draconian black laws, a legacy of the Colonial Empire,” he said while referring to the Frontier Crimes Regulation promulgated in early 20th century.
Mr. Asfandyar demanded a huge financial package for Fata and representation of tribal people in the next provincial cabinet according to their population.
Terming the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor CPEC) a game changer for the region he said that his party demanding to PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to fulfill their promises according to agreement with Pakhtuns.

The ANP leader said that the leadership of Pak-Afghan should continue dialogue for long peace and prosperity.

He said Islamabad and Kabul would have to recognize each other’s existence and start joint efforts for the restoration of durable peace in the region. He came down heavily on Pakistan Tehreek Insaf led government for its “flawed” policies in the province.
Mr. Asfandyar complained that the government hadn’t established a single university during the last three years.
“Bad governance and corruption are the hallmarks of the current government,” he said.
ANP provincial president Amir Haidar Khan Hoti, former law-minister Arshid Abdullah also spoke to the convention while Provincial Deputy General Secretary Aimal Wali Khan and women were presented.