File photo of PTI leader Pervez Khattak. Photo: NNI
The newly elected Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak laid out the future roadmap of his government when he said that establishing peace, delivering good governance and eradicating corruption were the biggest challenges facing his government.
Talking to Shazeb Khanzada in Express News talk show “To The Point”, Khattak said that he hoped the Americans would be forced to stop drone attacks, but clarified that the responsibility would rest with the federal government.
“Stopping the drone attacks is the responsibility of Nawaz Sharif and he should announce a clear policy on terrorism,” he said.
Khattak added that there were no training centres of terrorism in the country and that the armed forces would take action if such centres existed. He added that all three coalition partners in the province would chalk out a strategy to ensure peace and send the army back to barracks.
Our government is discussing the Nato supply routes issue and will announce a policy very soon, added Khattak.
“We don’t fear the might of the US, but we are afraid of any potential loss to our province. We don’t want any more casualties of the people or any loss to our army. We want peace and prosperity,” said Khattak.
Talking about the governance challenges facing his government, Khattak said “I am under a lot of pressure to deliver. If I fail to deliver during my tenure, I shall quit.”
Corruption is the second biggest problem of our province, said Khattak. He added that while his party chief had promised eradicating corruption in 90 days, he would get rid of the menace in 30 days through active complaint cells.
Appreciating Nawaz Sharif, Khattak said that the incoming prime minister had taken appreciable steps for democracy, however it would have been challenging for PML-N to form a government in K-P. Khattak said that his party had decided not to have any contacts with JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman due to his policy of hypocrisy.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 4th, 2013.
COMMENTS (17)
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@reasonlight: Likewise I have no hope from PTI. They were involved in agreement that barred women from voting in election 2012 in parts of Lower Dir. They snatched their rights.
@unbelievable: No one is attacking the US! We are just telling them to respect our soverignity! The entire world knows that drones are illegal, they go against international law AND they are immoral. People in the US also oppose drones, so if the people of the US are against drones and if the people of US are on Pakistan's side do you actually think the US will go to war against Pakistan. The US is a govt of the people by the people unlike pakistan. Americans know the consequnece of war, and they wouldn't dare attack pakistan knowing it has nuclear weapons. How about people stop being so scared of demanding for justice.
@Pakistani: I have no hopes from stagnant Jamat i Islami. They were caught red handed with fake 90000 ballot papers in Lower Dir.. Election commission took notice of it. The news appeared in media. Mr Munawwar Hasan, the amir, announced that he will address people on this issue. The case was hushed up. KPK people dont like forgers.
Mr. Khan has to be more polite. Arrogance does not work in politics.
“We don’t fear the might of the US, but we are afraid of any potential loss to our province. We don’t want any more casualties of the people or any loss to our army. We want peace and prosperity,” . Classic double speak. On one hand he wants Pakistan to forcefully stop the drones - on the other he doesn't want any casualties to people or army. History indicates that those who attack the USA run the risk of casualties to both people and armies.
These guys make as much sense as the people that voted them in..."If I fail to deliver under my tenure I shall quite"...quit what buddy??? your tenure will be over by then
I do not beliieve people are focusing on Provinces...Focus on the National Government first as they bear Ultimate Responsibility on a countrys Direction...A National Government cannot blame a Provincial Govt for things going wrong BUT a Provincial Govt can Blame the National Govt for things going wrong...Before anything else, focus on PMLN on National level first and do not divert attention away to the Provincial level..IT trickles down National to Provinial, not the other way round.
Mr CM KPK, actions speak louder: why don't you order to cut the NATO supply first and then demand the federal government to stop drones? Funny man!
The countdown of 30 days will start after 30 years.
This Coalition government of youth dynamic party with proven terrorists and extremists- Jamat-e-Islami, will bring a complete change in KPK. Believe me!
"Maulana Fazlur Rehman due to his policy of hypocrisy." Abusing JUI leader amounts to abusing his followers and voters.
Dear ET thanks once again for picking up negative... yes he said that and i dont agree....But i saw this interview and he said alot of progressive and positive things which you choose to ignore thanks for the excellent journalism ....
Can any one stop USA. No, Please say some thing positive .
Mirza thinks that the Abbottabad Commission Report will be based on Truth. A drama supported by Billions of Dollers cannot be hijaked by a small group of judges. And Judges in Pakistan, May Allah keep all of us safe from their shar...
Such shoddy reporting by ET. I saw the interview myself last night, he didn't say anything about no training centres in whole of Pakistan, but only about KPK in response to a question of whether he'll enforce the government's writ in areas under his control. One might recall the problem emanates from the tribal areas - which are under control of Governer and the Federal Government rather than provincial government.
About "sending army back in the barracks" point, it was about Swat and how the army is still there and how the civilian law enforcement agencies need to take over now.
The heading is misleading. How his statement leads to "Brighter Future" for KPK? Living in denial don't solve the problems and it will lead to disaster only..
that man is not right in the head and hence is in PTI.
This young leader of New Pakistan is almost as funny as Rehman Malik. Now refuting the presence of foreigners and training centers of terrorists in KPK. Of course OBL was also never there either. Now PTI should demand the release of Abbottabad Commission Report to expose the lies of USA that OBL was living comfortably in our army base. Why are we not demanding the release of truth and show the world that we do not support terrorists.