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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday defended the imposition of governor rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying that the decision was taken “under extreme compulsion”.
Addressing a meeting of the federal apex committee in Peshawar to review the security situation.
The prime minister arrived in Peshawar earlier in the day for his first visit to the province since governor’s rule and the emergency were imposed on October 11.
Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, federal ministers and newly appointed provincial advisers attended the meeting.
Addressing the participants, PM Shehbaz described Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a very beautiful province and expressed hope that the government would work to accelerate its development.
“I hope we work hard day and night and speedily make progress towards development and prosperity,” he said.
“I promise that, with the cooperation of the field marshal, we will bring back happiness to this province,” the premier said, adding that the KP would receive development at par with other provinces.
PM Shehbaz said that peace had been restored across Pakistan, including KP, by 2017 and 2018 through sacrifices made by the armed forces, security institutions and civilians.
He said around 80,000 people had been martyred in the war against terrorism, which had also caused billions of dollars in economic losses.
The prime minister accused the PTI-led dysfunctional government of inviting terrorists back after peace had been established, saying the sacrifices made to eliminate militancy had been undermined.
He said the province's people had paid the price, while several political families had also suffered losses during the fight against terrorism.
The PM alleged that the “previous” provincial government had neglected education, healthcare and public safety. He said 5,000 police vacancies had remained unfilled during its tenure, while the Safe City project was still incomplete.
He also criticised the lack of attention given to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), police training and the provision of modern weapons and equipment to security personnel.
The PM said more than Rs800 billion had been provided to the KP under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award for counterterrorism efforts.
He recalled that the provinces had agreed under the 2010 NFC Award to provide additional resources to the province, recognising it as the frontline in the fight against terrorism. He expressed regret that militancy had resurged despite the funding.
The PM also levelled corruption allegations against the “previous” provincial government, claiming that Rs100 billion had been embezzled from a clean drinking water project and corruption worth Rs37 billion had been uncovered in the Kohistan mega scandal. He further alleged that contracts under the placer gold project had been awarded to favoured individuals.
PM said an advisory council comprising experts from various fields had been established to help address the province's problems. He thanked allied parties for supporting the decision, particularly President Zardari and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, and pledged that the federal government would work with the military leadership to improve security and provide basic facilities to the people.
The prime minister also expressed grief over deaths caused by a school roof collapse. He said the people of KP had faced years of deprivation and deserved access to basic services.
Describing the province as the land of “Rahman Baba” and “Khushal Khan Khattak”, he pledged to restore peace, happiness and development and turn the people's aspirations for prosperity into reality.
Separately, PM Shehbaz has announced Rs160 billion for development projects in KP, pledging to empower the province and ensure its people receive their rights.
Addressing a development council comprising representatives of the tribal districts in Peshawar, the prime minister said the federal government stood with the people of KP and would provide them with full support.
The PM said tribal elders had always stood by Pakistan and made immense sacrifices in the war against terrorism. He said the government would provide all necessary resources to combat terrorism and accelerate work on development projects.
The prime minister said tribal elders had told him that development work in the tribal districts had been negligible, while terrorism and corruption had increased.
PM Shehbaz said he had directed the governor and chief secretary to ensure the province received as much wheat as it needed. He said discussions had also been held on wheat supplies to the tribal districts and police training.
