CM gets drubbing in PA

Opposition takes offence to his indecent language

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has come under fire from various quarters for his choice of words at the September 8 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf rally in Islamabad.

The first to lash out at the chief minister was K-P Assembly Opposition Leader Dr Abadullah Khan who said the CM spared no one during his speech in the federal capital—whether it was women, political leaderships, the media, or the establishment.

"Whatever was said is condemnable. As a political worker and member of the assembly, I also condemn the incident at the Parliament House.

Abadullah said that in his opinion, the PTI-led provincial government had lost its authority in the province. "From 2014 to 2022, the same establishment stood behind Imran Khan," he asserted.

The opposition leader lamented the fact that politicians had stooped to pulling each other down. He said people would be hard pressed to find members of the bureaucracy talking against each other. "We don't give space to each other," he said.

Abadullah also questioned governance in the province, asking PTI leaders to explain the reasons for their inactivity. "Who has stopped you from good governance? Other chief ministers present new projects every day. Unfortunately, our CM comes up with a new speech every day. Protests by the police are ongoing in Lakki Marwat, Bannu, and Bajaur. Who is responsible for law and order? Not a single statement has come from the government."

The opposition leader also dug his claws into the chief minister for offering to talk to the Taliban. "My leader never said to give offices to those bombing mosques, schools, and public squares. No leader ever said to compensate them.," he said.

Additionally, the opposition leader accused some members of PTI of wanting Imran Khan to stay out of politics. "Despite a thousand disagreements, I acknowledge that PTI is a reality, just like the PML-N, PPP, JUI-F, and ANP. We must accept this reality and move beyond personal interests; otherwise, nothing will improve."

He also stated that PTI's politics started and ended with Imran Khan. "Struggle for your leader, but also fulfill your responsibilities. I do not make empty statements. I will soon release a white paper detailing corruption in various departments."

He rhetorically asked whether it was the establishment which forced members of the K-P government to "take money for transfers and appointments?"

He continued that the government should hold the authority to make decisions. "For the first time, under Imran Khan's government, General Faiz, on the National Assembly's suggestion, gave agencies an office. Murad Saeed granted FWO the authority to collect taxes on highways."

He acknowledged that while his party also benefitted, along with PPP and ANP, it was PTI that was the biggest beneficiary. "The constitution must be fully implemented, and Pakistan needs a strong army. In Bannu, the CM said that no army personnel would conduct operations. So, who is conducting the operation in Tirah today?"

He stressed that regardless of party affiliations, parties need think about this province and its people. "Find a solution to the law-and-order problem, or people will throw stones at us in our constituencies," he warned.

Your police and CTD lack capacity. The frontline police of this province, from constables to IGs, have made sacrifices. Salaries, benefits, and allowances here are lower than in Punjab. The opposition will stand with you on these issues."

Earlier, ANP's provincial assembly member Mohammad Nisar expressed his thoughts, saying that while there is talk of parliamentary supremacy in the house, there should also be a discussion on law and order.

"Today, protests are taking place at two locations in Bajaur. We are demanding from the provincial government to explain why our blood is being spilled. From Bajaur to Bannu and Lakki Marwat, police officers are protesting, but no one is talking about it.

More police officers have been martyred than those disabled by polio. We are spending billions on security, yet an atmosphere of unrest has developed in the tribal areas. Today, the house should discuss why there is unrest and how it started."

Meanwhile, a woman opposition member from the PML-N in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly protested against the inappropriate remarks of the chief minister against Maryam Nawaz Sharif.