CM stresses unity against extremism

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Caretaker Chief Minister, Justice (retd) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah, has unequivocally reiterated the clear policy against anti-state elements, highlighting the cohesive stance of both the federal and provincial governments, law enforcement agencies, and the public on this critical matter. Speaking at a recent press conference, Justice Shah emphasized the vital role played by the police in maintaining law and order, particularly in the highly sensitive region of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. He underscored the need for heightened dedication and unwavering commitment from law enforcement in this province, given its unique challenges.

Acknowledging the integral connection between the country’s overall stability and peace in the merged districts, Justice Shah pointed out that while the administrative merger of the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) has been successfully completed, financial integration remains an outstanding issue that requires special attention. He expressed concern over the slow pace of development in these merged districts, attributing it to the current financial instability at the national level.

Addressing the financial challenges, Justice Shah disclosed that the issue of funding for the merged districts has been brought to the attention of the caretaker prime minister. He expressed optimism that a resolution would be reached soon, alleviating the financial constraints and allowing for a more expedited development process in the newly merged areas. The Chief Minister stressed the importance of fulfilling promises made during the merger, asserting that the caretaker provincial government is actively working to address these issues and ensure the timely and effective implementation of development initiatives.

The Chief Minister’s remarks came during a study tour for undertraining Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) held at the Chief Minister House. Alongside Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, Additional Chief Secretary Home Abid Majeed, and other relevant officials, Justice Shah provided detailed insights into the demographic landscape of the province, the prevailing law and order situation, actions being taken against illegal spectrum, the overall economic situation, and issues specific to the merged districts.

Welcoming the undertraining ASPs, Justice Shah commended their dedication to joining the police service and serving the nation. He urged them to uphold the values of honesty and dedication in their professional obligations, emphasizing the pivotal role of policing in creating a peaceful society. Justice Shah lauded the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police for their unprecedented role in the war against terrorism.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2023.