Difference of opinion: CM, IGP look in opposite directions on security
This was brought to fore through series of clarifications on a letter sent by the CM to the federal interior ministry
Chief Minister Pervez Khattak. PHOTO: ONLINE
PESHAWAR:
An implicit difference of opinion has surfaced between Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and IGP Nasir Durrani over ensuring security in the region.
This was brought to the fore through a series of clarifications on a letter sent by the CM to the federal interior ministry on February 23. In his letter, made public on Monday after a teenage suicide bomber killed 17 people at a court complex in Shabqadar, Khattak asked for the deployment of Rangers in Peshawar and Frontier Constabulary personnel along the border between settled areas of K-P and the tribal belt.
On Tuesday, Durrani clarified the request was not made “in the context of security”. However, Khattak also issued a clarification saying the security of K-P’s border with “war-torn Afghanistan” was impossible without help from Rangers.
Money well-spent: Use LG funds judiciously, warns Khattak
Durrani was speaking during a visit to Lady Reading Hospital on Tuesday.
According to Durrani, the security situation in K-P was far better compared to previous years. Although he admitted the province was a “war theatre” where militants had been carrying out attacks, Durrani denied the CM had made the request because the K-P police had failed to protect the people.
“The chief minister will be in a better position to define the request,” he said.
Durrani said 99.5% of phone calls from extortionists were traced back to Afghanistan. As a result, these details were shared with Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Omar Zakhilwal.
K-P CM reiterates committment to eradicate polio
“We have been assured of cooperation and are likely to form a joint group with Afghan police to share details,” Durrani said.
On the other hand, Khattak said,“The geographical location of K-P was sensitive because it shares a long border with Afghanistan”.
According to a handout issued from the CM Secretariat on Tuesday, the federal government was not ready to repatriate FC troops in K-P despite repeated demands.
“[Unlike other provinces] the K-P government is welcoming Rangers and will open itself for accountability,” the handout quoted Khattak as saying.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 9th, 2016.
An implicit difference of opinion has surfaced between Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and IGP Nasir Durrani over ensuring security in the region.
This was brought to the fore through a series of clarifications on a letter sent by the CM to the federal interior ministry on February 23. In his letter, made public on Monday after a teenage suicide bomber killed 17 people at a court complex in Shabqadar, Khattak asked for the deployment of Rangers in Peshawar and Frontier Constabulary personnel along the border between settled areas of K-P and the tribal belt.
On Tuesday, Durrani clarified the request was not made “in the context of security”. However, Khattak also issued a clarification saying the security of K-P’s border with “war-torn Afghanistan” was impossible without help from Rangers.
Money well-spent: Use LG funds judiciously, warns Khattak
Durrani was speaking during a visit to Lady Reading Hospital on Tuesday.
According to Durrani, the security situation in K-P was far better compared to previous years. Although he admitted the province was a “war theatre” where militants had been carrying out attacks, Durrani denied the CM had made the request because the K-P police had failed to protect the people.
“The chief minister will be in a better position to define the request,” he said.
Durrani said 99.5% of phone calls from extortionists were traced back to Afghanistan. As a result, these details were shared with Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Omar Zakhilwal.
K-P CM reiterates committment to eradicate polio
“We have been assured of cooperation and are likely to form a joint group with Afghan police to share details,” Durrani said.
On the other hand, Khattak said,“The geographical location of K-P was sensitive because it shares a long border with Afghanistan”.
According to a handout issued from the CM Secretariat on Tuesday, the federal government was not ready to repatriate FC troops in K-P despite repeated demands.
“[Unlike other provinces] the K-P government is welcoming Rangers and will open itself for accountability,” the handout quoted Khattak as saying.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 9th, 2016.