PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Apex Committee has directed all departments to take effective, decisive and coordinated actions to root out terrorism and establish durable peace in the province, Radio Pakistan reported on Monday.
The committee issued the directives at a meeting held in Peshawar, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi in the chair, alongside Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
At the outset, the meeting paid tribute to the brave martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty for maintaining peace.
The meeting reviewed in detail the overall security situation in the province and measures required to completely eradicate terrorism and establish sustainable peace.
The meeting decided to pay special attention to long-standing issues faced by the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa related to education, health and quality of life and improving socio-economic development in underdeveloped and terrorism-affected areas.
Underscoring the need to enhance the operational capacity of the Police and Counter-Terrorism Department, the forum decided to upgrade these institutions with modern, effective logistics and the required manpower. The forum made it clear that intelligence-based operations against terrorism will continue and all available resources will be utilised to improve the law and order situation.
The forum reiterated the resolve that eradicating terrorism and establishing law and order in the province are the shared objective and top priority of all state institutions, for which they will continue their efforts.
The meeting was held after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa entered a new administrative setup on Sunday after President Asif Ali Zardari imposed emergency and governor’s rule, effectively sidelining the PTI-led provincial government.
The president approved and signed the summary on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s advice under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution following recommendations by the federal cabinet and reports on the province’s law-and-order situation. The move has fundamentally changed how KP will be governed for the duration of the emergency: Governor Kundi will exercise the provincial government’s functions on behalf of the federation, assisted by an 11-member advisory council, while Parliament will exercise the provincial assembly’s legislative powers.
The presidential proclamation states that the chief minister, provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants and advocate general cease to hold office. The provincial assembly, however, has not been dissolved.
‘Container abandoned’
Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Kundi said an advisory council had been formed following the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that various matters had been discussed by the body.
He said the provincial apex committee also met today, with the fight against terrorism remaining the government’s priority.
Referring to PTI, Kundi said: “Their container is still standing abandoned on the road. I was waiting myself, as they had said they would march on Governor House.”
He said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had rejected what he described as a “13-year ordeal”, adding that a new journey had begun following the end of the previous government’s 13-year rule.
The governor said the administration would stand alongside the police in the fight against terrorism and provide the force with all necessary resources.
“We will make cuts elsewhere, but we will provide the police with all the resources they need,” he said, adding that strengthening the police and Counter-Terrorism Department was the first priority.
Kundi said he had directed the inspector general of police and chief secretary to increase police salaries and the compensation package for martyrs.
“Our policy will come from Islamabad, not Jalalabad or Kandahar,” he said. “Wars are not fought by armies alone; nations fight wars. Our nation stands alongside the police and security forces.”
The governor said there would be no compromise on law and order, warning that anyone taking the law into their own hands would face the consequences.
He also vowed “zero tolerance” for corruption, saying institutions would take action against anyone found involved in corrupt practices, including arrests and punishment.
“We have to clean up the mess of 13 years,” Kundi said, adding that people would soon see a difference in the province’s situation.
He said the government would respond to its critics through its actions and performance and would not allow “lawlessness and vandalism” in the province.
“Do you want a democracy in which citizens are not protected?” he asked. “A democracy whose policies came from Jalalabad, Kabul or Kandahar?”
Kundi said the administration wanted prosperity in the province. He acknowledged that traders were facing difficulties because of the border closure but added: “Pakistan comes first.” –Agencies
