PESHAWAR: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam has said that due to the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the steps taken by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, all the legal requirements of Governor’s rule have been fulfilled. Governor’s rule is a constitutional and legal path on which consultations are underway.
While holding a press conference with the provincial leadership at the Peshawar Press Club, PML-N Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Amir Muqam said that the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is in front of everyone. The people of the province have been facing terrorism for a long time, however, the provincial government’s priorities are focused on political activities instead of public issues.
He said that in the event of Governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi will lead it. He said that Faisal Karim Kundi is a sophisticated man and there is no talk of removing him, he is doing a good job, however, anything can happen at any time.
Amir Muqam said that Sohail Afridi should prepare to go to jail instead of holding a long march. Billions of rupees were collected from contractors and the public in the name of the long march, of which there is no record. According to him, preparations were not complete even for September 27 and now the date has been given as October 4.
He alleged that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is spending the province’s resources and tax money on rallies and processions, while the people voted for the PTI to provide facilities.
The federal minister said that it is regrettable to call the security forces personnel who have made sacrifices against terrorism by the titles of gangsters. He said that the entire province is burning in the fire of terrorism but the provincial government’s focus is on the release of a political prisoner.
Amir Muqam said that the federation will not negotiate on the issue of the release of any one individual, but is ready to negotiate on other issues. According to him, the court will decide the fate of an individual.
He further said that the PTI government tried to create a state within a state by talking about talks with Afghanistan and the Taliban. Amir Muqam also criticized the provincial government’s police policy and said that an attempt was being made to increase government control over the police through the Police Act.
Amir Muqam said that the PTI does not have a person who is qualified for the post of Chief Minister, while the current government is changing the Chief Ministers.
He said that protests were also held in Islamabad under the leadership of former Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi, however, after the PTI workers were arrested, they were taken to their homes after getting bail.
The federal minister alleged that billions of rupees were being collected in the form of donations in the name of the Long March and party workers and this money was allegedly being used for personal use. He said that Sohail Afridi tried to gather the people for September 27 but the required number could not be met, after which the date of October 4 was given.
Amir Muqam said that Governor’s rule is a constitutional option and in the current situation, consultations are underway in this regard.