KP apex body reviews KP security, vows action against terrorism

PESHAWAR
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial apex committee on Monday vowed to intensify coordinated action against terrorism and strengthen the operational capacity of police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), while pledging to address longstanding public grievances relating to education, healthcare and basic services.
According to an official statement issued by the Governor House, Peshawar, the meeting, chaired by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, reviewed the province’s overall security situation and measures required to eliminate terrorism and establish lasting peace. The meeting was held a day after the federal government imposed governor’s rule across the province and declared an emergency in 12 districts. The meeting followed the imposition of governor’s rule in KP and an emergency in 12 districts.
The meeting followed the imposition of governor’s rule in KP and an emergency in 12 districts.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, members of the provincial advisory council, the Peshawar corps commander, the chief secretary, the inspector general of police and other senior civil and military officials attended the meeting, the statement said.
At the outset, participants paid tribute to those who had sacrificed their lives in the fight against terrorism and for the restoration of peace. Fateha was also offered for the departed souls.
The committee directed all relevant institutions to take coordinated, effective and decisive measures to eradicate terrorism and improve the law and order situation. It reaffirmed that intelligence-based operations against militants would continue and that all available resources would be utilised to maintain peace and protect citizens.
Emphasising the need to strengthen the operational capacity of the police and the CTD, the forum decided to provide the two departments with modern equipment, necessary vehicles, armoured vehicles, effective weapons, adequate personnel and other resources required to perform their duties.
The committee reiterated that eliminating terrorism and maintaining law and order were shared objectives and top priorities of all state institutions, on which no compromise would be made.
Alongside security, the meeting underscored the need to address the longstanding problems faced by the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in education, healthcare and the quality of life in urban areas. According to the statement, the forum observed that these issues had a direct bearing on public security and sustainable peace but had often been overlooked in the past.
The participants also agreed to prioritise the provision of basic facilities in underdeveloped and conflict-affected areas, improve living standards and promote social and economic development across the province.
The forum stressed that public needs, local priorities and citizens’ suggestions would be incorporated into policymaking and practical measures to resolve grievances and ensure the delivery of government services at people’s doorsteps.
The forum pledged that all relevant institutions would continue working together under a coordinated strategy to achieve peace, stability and development in the province, the statement added.
Meanwhile, Peshawar witnessed no major protest on Monday, the second day after the imposition of governor’s rule, despite a call by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf provincial president Irfan Saleem for a demonstration on GT Road in the Hashtnagri area.
The planned protest did not materialise on a large scale. Small groups of party workers gathered at different locations in the city and chanted slogans, but police dispersed them, preventing a major demonstration in the provincial capital.
Security remained tight, with roads leading towards Peshawar’s cantonment area sealed with containers for the second consecutive day. The closures forced commuters to use routes through the city centre and Ring Road, causing considerable difficulties for people travelling between different parts of the city.
Educational institutions across the city were also ordered to remain closed until further notice.
Commercial activity continued on Monday, with business centres opening across Peshawar. However, container blockades on roads leading to the cantonment area caused significant disruption to commuters.
The federal government imposed an emergency in 12 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and governor’s rule across the province on Sunday after President Asif Ali Zardari approved recommendations made by the federal cabinet. The measures were taken under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met the president to discuss the country’s overall security situation.

By: JAVED KHAN MOHMAND