Centre using terrorism issue for political point-scoring

PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information, Science and Information Technology Shafi Jan on Monday accused federal ministers of linking terrorism with the provincial government for political point-scoring and said they should answer for their own policies and performance.
Addressing a joint press conference along with Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Home and Tribal Affairs Tariq Saeed Marwat at the Directorate General Information and Public Relations, the minister said terrorism was a national issue and required a serious and joint strategy.
He said federal ministers had presented incorrect figures about the provincial police at a recent press conference and alleged that PML-N leader Ikhtiar Wali had tried to distort facts.
“Statements by federal ministers are creating an impression that the KP government is not taking measures against terrorism. Such statements undermine the sacrifices of our police,” he said.
He said if law and order was being cited as a justification for imposing Governor’s Rule, then the situation in Balochistan should also be examined, adding that any such move in KP would trigger a public backlash.
Mr Jan said militancy had emerged as a major challenge in KP after 9/11 and recalled that PTI founder Imran Khan had opposed drone strikes in the tribal districts. He said the PTI government had worked for peace and development after coming to power in the province in 2013, and that the security situation had improved during Mr Khan’s tenure as prime minister but deteriorated after the removal of his government.
He criticised Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar for his statements on KP and said if he was visiting the province to assess the situation, he should also visit Balochistan.
He said the KP government was ready to sit with all stakeholders to formulate a comprehensive strategy against terrorism. On the long march, he said the change in the Sept 27 date was part of the party’s political strategy. He alleged the federal government was attempting to create confrontation between the people and state institutions.
“We stand with Pakistan. Pakistan is part of our faith,” he said.
Regarding procurement of modern equipment for police, Mr Jan said Rs7.4 billion had been paid to Heavy Industries Taxila and other relevant federal institutions for 57 items, but only 13 had so far been supplied to KP police, alleging unnecessary delay in the supply of the remaining equipment.
He said the provincial government had placed police and law and order among its top priorities. The police budget had been increased to Rs191 billion, while Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had allocated a special package of Rs35 billion for police and the Counter Terrorism Department.
“After health and education, police have received the largest budgetary allocation,” he said.
The minister said KP had borne a heavy human and financial cost in the war against terrorism, claiming around 80,000 people had lost their lives over the years.
“Despite these sacrifices, KP is still being subjected to criticism and taunts instead of being given its due share in the fight against terrorism,” he said, adding that the federal government’s current policies had contributed to an increase in terrorist incidents.
He said Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had written several letters seeking a meeting of the Apex Committee but had yet to receive a response.
He said the provincial government did not seek confrontation with state institutions and remained committed to peace, protection of citizens and elimination of terrorism.
PESHAWAR Minister for Information Shafi Jan and CM aide on Interior Tariq Saeed Marwat addressing a joint press conference-DLP Photo.