CHARSADDA: Qaumi Watan Party central chairman Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao has expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in the southern districts.

Talking to mediapersons here on Monday, he said it was need of the hour that all stakeholders, including central and provincial governments, law enforcement agencies and politicians, sat down and devised a joint action plan for establishing sustainable peace in the region.

Mr Sherpao regretted that owing to poor law and order situation China had asked its nationals to restrict their activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. He said this development was a matter of deep concern for people as well as the governments of KP and Balochistan.

He said his party was not against the 26th Constitutional Amendment, but it had objected to the procedure and hasty manner it was passed through the parliament, which made it controversial.

He regretted that both the federal and KP governments were engaged in a tug-of-war instead of concentrating on governance to mitigate sufferings of people.

Mr Sherpao alleged that the KP government had been limited to protests, long marches and sit-ins at the cost of official resources instead of improving law and order in the province. He said the chief minister was hurling threats on federal government every day, adding that his statements would not help improve the situation.

The QWP chief said every district of KP was affected in one way or another due to growing incidents of militancy, targeted killing, and kidnapping for ransom.

The seasoned politician said that prevailing situation could not be improved only by issuing condemnation statements unless the government implemented the National Action Plan in letter and spirit.

He demanded of the federal, provincial governments and the establishment to join hands and prepare a joint action plan to eliminate militancy.

He said that the 26th Constitutional Amendment was passed by allegedly breaking the members of other parties, which made it controversial.

He said that the government was also reportedly mulling to pass the 27th Constitutional Amendment from the parliament. He said such measures had further increased instability in the country.

Mr Sherpao welcomed the decision to appoint Yahya Afridi as the new Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2024