Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s remarks about changing the status of the “Hazara Division” of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into an independent province prompted massive criticisms in Pakistan.
Awami National Party reacted to Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s comments and said such politically motivated remarks can tarnish national unity in Pakistan.
Aimal Wali Khan, the provincial president of the Awami National Party Pakistan has said in a statement that this is not the first attempt to divide Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and every effort in this regard has failed so far.
Wali Khan has emphasized that considering the prevailing situation in the country, such comments aimed at gaining political credit, may adversely affect national unity in Pakistan.
Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of Nawaz Sharif Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, and one of the leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League political party during an official press conference said that if her party wins the upcoming elections, the Hazara area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will change into a separate province.
The Hazara division is part of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Abbottabad is the provincial capital and it is said the city accommodated some five million inhabitants as of 2017.
Hazara Division contains eight districts including, Abbottabad, Batagram Dt, Haripur, Kolai-Palas, Upper Kohistan, Kohistan District, Lower Kohistan, Mansehra, Torghar, and Mansehra.
Maryam Nawaz’s controversial remarks came as Pakistan is already plagued with major economic and security challenges. The country’s coalition government is struggling to find solutions to the ongoing security threats as the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups have intensified their attacks across the country.
Meanwhile, the current government is trying its best to meet the tough conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new loan aimed at easing the economic challenges the country is faced with.
