Asfandyar urges PML-N leadership to remain on-board, demands re-naming of NWFP

Central President of ANP, Asfandyar Wali Khan has urged the leadership of PML-N to remain on-board with the objective of resolving crisis faced by the country. Addressing a press briefing after chairing a meeting of Central Working Committee of ANP here at Bacha Khan Markaz, Asfandyar Wali Khan said it is our desire that PML-N should remain on board instead of parting its ways.He said the crisis faced by the country are very grave and joint efforts are required for solving these. Apart from PML-N, he continued, we want more political parties to come forward and join hands for the development and prosperity of the country.About the decision taken in the working party committee of ANP, Asfandyar said the meeting clarified its stance on judiciary and demanded of the government to resolve judge’s issue before presentation of the next federal budget. The central working party of ANP, Asfandyar added, has observed that some political parties are using judges issue for attainment of their political gains.The meeting, Asfandyar said observed that ANP has been voted into power by people for restoration of peace and for the attainment of this goal party leadership will hold talks with militants beyond their political ideology.Restoration of peace is the priority of ANP leadership for which it has adopted the path of negotiation, he added.He said the policy of present government has shown positive results as the incidents of suicide bombing have been reduced to almost zero level. However, he continued, success of the ongoing talks will take some time.The participants of the meeting were of the view that use of force is the last option for resolution of any disputed issue. The best way to resolve any dispute is dialogue, he remarked.ANP Central president said party central working committee meeting demanded financial and political autonomy for federating units.The meeting, he went on to say, also demanded renaming of NWFP and for this purpose proposed three names including Pukhtoonkhwa, Pukhtonistan and Afghania.He said the meeting observed that both federal and provincial governments should jointly chalk out policies for redressing the problem of price hike, flour crisis and other problems faced by the government.The meeting strongly condemned missile attack at Damadola in Bajaur agency and demanded of the government to ensure implementation of Pak-Afghan peace declaration signed in Afghanistan for restoration of peace in Fata.In response to a question, ANP president said replacement of NWFP Governor is presently not under consideration. However, he hastened to add, any change in this regard will be made with the consultation of ANP.Asfandyar reaffirmed strong opposition by his party to construction of Kalabagh dam for overcoming energy crisis in the country.”We have taken a clear public stand on Kalabagh dam issue which will not be changed at any cost due to any circumstances,” he said while answering to a question about prevailing energy crisis faced by nation.Asfandar asked why the whole nation is stick to Kalabagh dam whenever the issue of electricity generation is discussed.He said according to a report prepared by Shydo, in NWFP there is potential of generating 32000 mega watt of electricity through utilizing flow of the rivers instead of constructing dams.He said provincial government is also holding talks with federal government on issue of royalty on net hydel power generation.