K-P goes on offensive against federal cops
K-P Assembly. PHOTO: AFP
Soon after being formed, the Special Committee of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, has sprung into action and ordered legal action against the police personnel involved in the attack on K-P House in Islamabad. The committee, formed specifically to assess the damage inflicted on the property by the Islamabad police, has also directed the preparation of a comprehensive report on the damage.
The special committee meeting was chaired by K-P MPA and Chairperson Munir Hussain Laghmani, with attendance from provincial assembly members Iftikhar Ali Mushwani, Muhammad Arif, Shafiullah Jan, Johar Muhammad, Asif Khan, Ahmed Kundi, Adnan Khan, and Muhammad Nisar.
Senior officials from the home, administration, police, and other departments were also present.
During the meeting, the chairperson was briefed on the attack on Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa House. The chairperson expressed deep concern and condemned the recent incident at Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad. He outlined the negative impact such actions could have on federal-provincial relations.
He stated that the meeting was called to discuss the terms of reference (ToRs), facilitate the investigative process, and gather valuable input from departmental officers and committee members to ensure timely action.
The committee deliberated on the legal standing of the attack on Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa House. The additional secretary of the K-P Administration Department informed the chair that relevant records from its state office had been presented to the committee.
The chairperson emphasised the need to inquire about the security responsibilities and relevant standard operating procedures (SOPs) at Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa House Islamabad. The additional advocate general briefed the committee on the legal aspects of the attack, and the future course of action.
Munir Hussain Laghmani recommended that the concerned officers be directed to provide an initial damage assessment report and stressed the need for full details on the status of FATA House as well. The committee proposed that the C&W Department XEN prepare a comprehensive report on the damage to the structure and other facilities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad.
The chairperson issued orders to initiate legal action against all involved officials to prevent such incidents in the future.
In Monday's assembly session of last week, the provincial legislature decided that an 11-member committee of government and opposition members would investigate the raid on K-P House.
It was determined that the PA committee would also look into the alleged vandalism and acts of violence carried out on the premises by the police.
During the session of the K-P Provincial Assembly, Speaker Babar Saleem initiated a discussion on the incidents in Islamabad. He condemned the way Rangers and police officers attacked the K-P House, assaulted people, and fired rubber bullets.
He said the incident was unprecedented and mentioned that the doors of rooms designated for the chief minister, speaker, and ministers were broken, and items were forcibly taken from people.
Saleem further stated that the sealing of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa House, in the presence of a magistrate, as seen on television, is unacceptable.
He criticised the federal government's actions in isolating a province from Islamabad and imposing restrictions, noting that this could provoke the people of K-P. He asked the assembly members for their opinion on the matter, emphasising that it was an issue of the province's and the assembly's integrity.