Muhammad Saleem
PESHAWAR: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa does not need Governor’s Rule but rather public governance, improved administration and practical solutions to the problems faced by the people.
Speaking to the media at the Peshawar Press Club, the federal minister said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would not be allowed to enter Islamabad on September 27, adding that the government would take every possible measure to protect citizens’ rights and maintain law and order.
Tarar said the government opposed violence, clashes and the use of public resources for political gatherings and protests. He maintained that the people had already rejected politics of violence and that the public should not be subjected to hardship for the release of a single prisoner.
The federal minister urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to focus on education, healthcare, tourism and the provision of basic facilities. He alleged that the provincial government’s attention was focused on protest politics rather than addressing public issues.
He said the primary responsibility of a chief minister was to serve the people, ensure good governance and provide essential facilities to the province’s population.
Tarar claimed that, under the National Action Plan, approximately Rs850 billion had been provided to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through the National Finance Commission (NFC). He alleged that the provincial government had failed to provide an adequate record regarding the utilization of these resources.
He said the federal government had provided resources to meet the province’s needs and stressed that public funds must be utilized transparently and effectively.
The federal minister also called upon the PTI leadership to pursue dialogue and understanding, saying that the government wanted a clear, serious and responsible counterpart for negotiations.
Referring to counterterrorism efforts, Tarar said evidence had emerged regarding the use of Afghan territory in connection with the Kohat incident and that a response had been given in this regard. He reiterated that counterterrorism operations would continue and that no one would be allowed to disrupt peace and public order.
Tarar said the government would oppose every action that was against the public interest and emphasized that public resources should be spent on the welfare of the people.
He also referred to the restoration of the Radio Pakistan Peshawar building, which was damaged during the May 9 incidents, and said that the new studios would be made available to journalists.
