DLP Report
KHYBER
Awami National Party (ANP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Mian Iftikhar Hussain has termed the renewed debate over the creation of new provinces a conspiracy to divide the political and economic strength of the nations, warning that weakening the provinces would pave the way for control over their resources.
Addressing a joining ceremony organised by the ANP Khyber district, he said the consequences of limiting provincial powers had already been witnessed in the form of the separation of East Pakistan. “The nation must be told who was responsible for breaking Pakistan into two and what punishment they received,” he said.
Mian Iftikhar said the ANP would not allow anyone to take control of the province’s land and resources. “We are equal citizens of this country. We accepted neither slavery in the past nor will we accept it in the future,” he said.
He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was rich in natural resources and minerals, but, unfortunately, its people did not have control over the resources of their own land. “If Punjab’s control over wheat is accepted, why is KP’s right over electricity, gas, tobacco and other resources denied?” he asked.
He alleged that, under a deliberate conspiracy, Pakhtuns were being displaced from one area after another. He said poor government policies had left the people of Tirah displaced, forcing them to live in camps despite having homes of their own.
The ANP leader said the Pakhtun belt, stretching from Waziristan to Bajaur and Khyber, was once again in the grip of terrorism. He said the people of the province had sacrificed countless lives to eliminate terrorism and establish peace, but their sacrifices had been ignored and militants were allowed to return to the region.
He alleged that border areas had been handed over to militants under an agreement, resulting in the absence of effective government authority in several areas and the emergence of militant rule.
Mian Iftikhar said the ANP had achieved provincial autonomy through years of political struggle and sacrifices, culminating in the 18th Constitutional Amendment. “If the objective behind creating new provinces is merely the transfer of powers, why is the 18th Amendment not being fully implemented?” he questioned.
He also demanded the announcement of a new National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, saying the provinces should be given their constitutional share. “Under the Constitution, the people of KP have the first right over the resources of their land, and we will never surrender this right,” he said.
Referring to the merger of the former tribal areas with KP, Mian Iftikhar said the tribal people had made several promises at the time of the merger, but none had been fully fulfilled.
He questioned why the merged districts were not being provided their three per cent NFC share and the promised Rs100 billion annually.
He said problems in the merged districts had increased rather than decreased following the merger, while the people continued to be deprived of basic facilities, peace and control over their natural resources.
The ANP provincial president maintained that the country’s problems could not be resolved without supremacy of the Constitution and Parliament, provincial autonomy and the provision of rights to all nations. He called for unity and greater public awareness regarding political rights, resources, authority and peace.
He reiterated that the ANP would never compromise on its national rights, peace and democratic principles and would continue its political struggle on every front.
During the ceremony, dozens of people resigned from different political parties and announced their joining of the ANP. District President Abdul Razzaq Afridi, Bara Tehsil President Abdul Wahid Afridi, Tirah Tehsil President Shaheen Sehar, Landi Kotal Tehsil President Kabir Shah Afridi, other district and tehsil office-bearers, local elders and a large number of party workers attended the event.
