By: Anwar Zada Gulyar
BAJAUR: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader and former Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique visited Bajaur, where he met families affected by floods and military operations and listened to their grievances. On the occasion, he announced financial assistance for 200 affected households through the Khawaja Rafique Shaheed Foundation.
Speaking to the media, Saad Rafique said that although such an announcement could have been made from Lahore, it was important for him to visit in person in order to share the pain and suffering of the affected families. He added that some people often claim that the people of Punjab are indifferent to the hardships of Pashtuns; to counter this perception, he urged Punjab’s representatives to visit conflict-hit areas and stand with the victims.
The former federal minister also took a firm stance on extremism, stressing that those who take up arms and challenge the state must face decisive action. He further said that elements who use women and children as human shields are cowards and must be brought to justice.
