Punjab Thriving While Pakhtunkhwa Faces Deprivation, Says Khushhal Khan Kakar at Mardan Rally

**MARDAN (Qudrat Daily):** Chairman of the *Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party* **Khushhal Khan Kakar** and Co-Chairman **Mukhtar Khan Yousafzai** said that Mardan has long been a *historic and politically vibrant center* of the Pashtun national movement, where the people have played a leading role in the struggle for *national rights, self-determination, and labor justice.*

They expressed these views while addressing a *large public gathering* at **Shobla Sailani Dera in Mardan**, presided over by prominent national figure **Akhtar Gul Lala**. Senior party leaders including **Raza Muhammad Raza, Ashraf Khan Hoti, Abdul Qayyum, Ali Haider, and Gohar Khan** also addressed the gathering and congratulated participants on the event’s success.

Khushhal Khan Kakar said that the land of Pakhtunkhwa has been safeguarded for centuries by the sacrifices of their forefathers and is blessed with *natural resources, rivers, forests, and mountains*. However, due to flawed policies, the *Pashtun people continue to suffer from deprivation, backwardness, and lack of development.*

> “Pakistan is a federal state — under the Constitution, all nations are entitled to equal rights. But in practice, the resources of Pakhtunkhwa are extracted to fuel the development of other provinces,” he stated.

The chairman lamented that Pashtun workers lack proper employment opportunities, forcing millions to seek work in other provinces or abroad, while *industries and infrastructure in Pakhtunkhwa remain neglected.* He demanded that local people be granted *ownership and control* over their land and resources, with *transparent and fair policies* for sharing mineral wealth and water rights.

Co-Chairman Mukhtar Khan Yousafzai and other speakers reaffirmed their commitment to *strengthen the party’s organizational structure* and intensify the *public struggle for rights.* The rally also resolved to *activate party units at district and union levels* to address local issues effectively.

Speakers emphasized that *political unity and organized struggle* are essential to free Pakhtunkhwa from *terrorism, lawlessness, and poverty*. They urged the people to unite under the party’s banner and play an active role in upcoming *political and democratic movements.*

The rally concluded with *national songs and speeches promoting unity and solidarity*, attended by hundreds of workers, tribal elders, and local representatives.