Islamabad based Centre for Regional Policy & Dialogue (CRPD) organized a seminar on “Political Developments in the Newly Merged Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” November 30, 2021 in Islamabad. People from various walks of life including political representatives and political workers from Newly Merged Districts (NMDs), members of civil society, lawyers, business community, academia.
Mr. Mehran Wazir – CEO of CRPD – gave a brief presentation on the ongoing political scenario in the newly merged districts. He also introduced Centre for Regional Policy & Dialogue (CRPD) to the participants of seminar. He said that CRPD is a non-profit company based in Islamabad Pakistan focused on and specialized in conducting research and publications on peace & conflict, exploring public spaces, monitoring social processes and democratization in South & Central Asia region – particularly Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Participants expressed during the session that political participants can be ensured in a peaceful environment in NMDs, while peace and development cannot be ensured without sustained political process and political participation. “Political workers need protection, but that protection should not be a hurdle for political activities, as happened in the past”, said by Gul Afzal – President of Awami National Party (ANP) Bajaur.
Mr. Zafarullah Khan – a constitution expert – said that the merge districts should be open places for everyone, where civil society need no NOC for research and advocacy activities. He said that unfortunately after the merger civil society has to take NOC from various security agency and departments to initiation activities in NMDs.
Mr. Mohsin Dawar discussed that the upcoming local government elections in the merged districts would provide political spaces for actual political workers. These political spaces were occupied by non-political forces in NMDs. PTM politically mobilized youth of merged districts who are participating in the upcoming local government elections in NMDs.
Chairman Uthman Khel Qaumi Movement, Mr. Jahan Zarin Khan expressed that targeted killing of civil society activists and political workers is a great concern. These targeted killings of political workers would harm the political process in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He particularly mentioned name of the deceased Muhammad Zada Agarwal of Malakand.
Mr. Mehran Wazir – CEO of CRPD – concluded the session with thanks and acknowledged recommendations and suggestions of participants.