Campaign for Pukhtuns’ rights launched

SWABI: Leaders of a newly found ‘Pukhtoonkhwa Olasi Tehreek’ (POT) have vowed to work for restoration of lasting peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for economic prosperity of its people.

They were addressing a workers’ convention, which was attended by nationalist leaders from across the province here on Sunday. Prominent among the participants were Arbab Shehryar, Dr Said Alam Mehsud, Pakistan-Afghan People’s Forum president Alam Zeb Khan, Swabi Qaumi Mahaz chairman MPA Babar Saleem and others.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Said Alam Mehsud said that all political parties and civil society should gather on one platform to work collectively for Pakhtoons’ rights.

Pakistan-Afghan People’s Forum president Alam Zeb said that without peace trade activities between the two countries couldn’t be accelerated. “Khyber Pokhtoonkhwa and Afghanistan could become a hub of economic and trade activities if durable peace is restored in the region,” he added.

MPA Babar Saleem said that under the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, the federal government was bound to transfer control of collecting revenue on the tobacco production to Khyber Pukhtunkhwa.

The participants said that the party’s district steering committee would be announced soon to work for creating awareness among people about their rights.

Convener of the meeting, Liaqat Yousafzai, told this correspondent after the meeting that the basic objective of the workers’ convention was to educate the Pakhtuns about various confronting challenges and conspiracies against them. The meeting also discussed how to bring economic prosperity to   Pakhtunkhwa and how Pukhtuns could have full control over their resources.

Mr Yousafzai said that the meeting also declared that POT would not have any political colour and would invite other political parties’ leaders to join their movement aimed at protecting Pokhtuns’ rights. The meeting said that as Khyber Pukhtunkhwa was producing abundant electricity for its domestic needs, the province should be provided uninterrupted power supply to revive industries