PESHAWAR: Awami National Party central general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain said on Wednesday that ending terrorism from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas and development of Balochistan were essential for the success of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

In a statement issued here, Mr Hussain urged the government to fulfil promises it made at the all parties conference about CPEC and assurance of which was also given to ANP chief Asfandyar Wali by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

He said that the areas suffering due to militancy and backwardness for the past two decades should get most of the benefits of the CPEC project.

He said that it would be tantamount to the economic murder of Pakhtuns if original western route of the project was not followed.

The ANP leader said that the government should pay attention to the economic development of the Fata, KP and Balochistan.

He said that this region still faced threats from terrorists and the recent attack in Mardan showed that they were regrouping. He said that the government should follow the National Action Plan in letter and spirit.

He said that the government should pay heed to improving relations with India and Afghanistan to defeat militancy in the region. Bureau Report