PESHAWAR - Qaumi Watan Party Chairman, Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has expressed concern over the high ratio of poverty and asked the government for tangible steps to control it.
Speaking at a press conference in Mansehra, he said the government itself had admitted how much worse poverty had grown during its five years in power.
Former provincial minister Semi Riaz Khan announced joining the QWP on this occasion.
According to the Ministry of Food Security, he said, 58 per cent of the population was food-insecure last year compared to the Sustainable Policy Development Institute’s figure of 49 per cent for 2009.
He said poverty, unemployment rate and energy crises hit the highest ratio since the PPP-led coalition came to power.
He regretted that the prices of essential commodities and utilities were skyrocketing with each passing day, making it difficult for the people to fulfil the daily needs of their families.
He said that the energy crisis had badly affected the socio-economic activities in the country but the government had adopted silence over the woes of the people.
He alleged that the rulers were least-bothered to resolve masses’ problems and busy in misappropriation of public funds.
He said that masses had been subjected to untold miseries due to flawed and directionless policies adopted by the government.
However, he maintained, it was unfortunate the rulers had ignored the sacrifices of the people living in region left in the lurch.
He said that people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were the worst sufferers in war against terrorism neither the federal government nor the international community was acknowledging its sacrifices.
Meanwhile, Army Public School and College System (APSACS) is contributing positively to help the youth of our society to acquire quality of education Corps Commander Lieutenant General Khalid Rabbani said while awarding certificate to teachers.
Corps Commander Peshawar said that education policies and system have to be constantly monitored, upgraded and developed to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world.
The youth of our country is prodigiously promising and it is up to us to tap this invaluable resource to the fullest, he added. He also appreciated the teachers for their devotion and commitment towards imparting education to the youth.
Earlier, the Corps Commander was informed about the major objectives and achievements of APSACS by Regional Coordinator Azra Yasmin Paracha. The Corps Commander appreciated the efforts of all concerned for promotion of such projects of national interest.
At the end, certificates and trophies were distributed among the principals and teachers by the Corps Commander. Kiran Shahwar, Noor-e-Ain and Uzma Asim were declared as best section heads while the principal of the year award was won by the Mrs Tahira Qazi of APS (boys) Peshawar. Award for the school of the year was shared by APS Mardan and APS Junior Peshawar.
He said people had been left with no option but to vote for QWP, adding that QWP would steer the masses out of prevailing sense of deprivation and uncertainty.