Muhammad Irshad
PESHAWAR: Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Tuesday said the federal government had no plan to impose governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but warned that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) would not be allowed to enter Islamabad on Sept 27.
Talking to the media at the Peshawar Press Club, he said, “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa does not need governor’s rule but people’s rule.”
Mr Tarar said the government would not allow the PTI to disrupt public life through protests and blockades, adding that the government opposed what he described as a politics of violence.
He said public resources should be spent on the people rather than on political rallies and protests. “Public resources should be used for the people and will not be allowed to be wasted on rallies and processions,” he said.
The minister urged the PTI to abandon what he called its current course and adopt dialogue and understanding. He questioned whom the federal government should negotiate with, saying the PTI chairman had called for talks but had not identified a responsible person for negotiations.
Mr Tarar criticised the PTI’s provincial government, saying that despite its long tenure in the province, he saw little evidence of development. He said the provincial government should focus on providing education, healthcare and tourism facilities instead of using public resources for political activities.
He also alleged that the provincial government had failed to provide adequate facilities despite collecting taxes from the people. He further criticised the absence of the chief minister and provincial ministers from funerals of security personnel and civilians killed in terrorist attacks.
Regarding the National Finance Commission (NFC), Mr Tarar claimed that the federal government had provided Rs850 billion to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government under the NFC for the National Action Plan, alleging that the provincial government had no record of the funds.
The minister also alleged that the provincial government had allowed corruption in areas including forest cutting and mining. He said forensic facilities in the province were also dependent on support from Punjab.
Referring to the recent attack in Kohat, Mr Tarar alleged that Afghan territory had been used in the incident and said a response had been given. He added that action against militants would continue and that no one would be allowed to disturb law and order.
“We will oppose every step that is against the people,” he said.
Mr Tarar also said the federal government would not allow anyone to deprive citizens of their rights, referring to the Islamabad High Court’s orders concerning public access and civic rights.
Speaking about the Radio Pakistan building in Peshawar, he said the structure damaged during the May 9 violence had been rebuilt and studios had been established there. He invited journalists to use the studios for producing podcasts and other programmes.
Peshawar Press Club President M. Riaz and General Secretary Alamgir Khan were also present on the occasion.
Mr Tarar said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government believed in press freedom and would take up journalists’ problems at the federal level.