K-P APC faults both Centre, province for bad law, order

PESHAWAR:

The declaration of the All Parties Conference held at the Governor House Peshawar has expressed serious concern and reservation over the deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundir read and presented a joint brief declaration consisting of 14 points. The declaration states that the political leadership of the province expresses concern over the alarming deterioration of law and order in the province. "This year has seen more bloodshed compared to the previous year. Last month, over 70 security personnel were martyred, and in Kurram, more than 200 precious lives were lost in sectarian riots. Both the federal and provincial governments appear to be failing in maintaining law and order."

The meeting decided to form a political and technical committee representing all political parties in order to address the financial and political situation of the province and protect its interests.

According to the declaration, the 7th NFC award has been ineffective for almost the last two and a half years, so the 11th NFC award should be issued immediately. The three percent amount allocated for the former FATA has not been released in the past five years, and the outstanding three percent for FATA should be issued according to the recommendations of the Sartaj Aziz Committee, which should be fully implemented.

The new NFC award should be based on the province's population census, and the formula should include forests and the environment, it was resolved.

The forum unanimously reaffirmed the historical fact that the mines and minerals in the province belong to the people of the province and are a trust for future generations. It demanded that the details of the leases granted throughout the province be made public.

According to the declaration, all historical trade routes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border should be immediately opened for all types of trade.

"The federal government must ensure the provision of gas to the people of the province on a priority basis in accordance with Article 158 of the Constitution and pay the NHB and Federal Excise Duty on oil to the province according to Article 161 of the Constitution.

The declaration further stated that the Council of Common Interests (CCI) should hold regular meetings as per the constitutional schedule, and the provincial government should form the Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) and issue awards regularly. A robust local government system should be in place, and local government representatives should receive funds without discrimination according to local governance rules. The provincial government should withdraw the 2% IDC tax imposed on Afghan trade, as it is affecting it.

According to the declaration, the provincial share in water resources, as per Para 2, 4, and 10 of the 1991 Water Accord, should be provided by the federal government, along with infrastructure support, similar to the provisions made for other provinces. Additionally, all IDPs from tribal districts affected by operations should be sent back to their areas honorably and according to promises made. The peaceful Pashtuns of Khyber province should not be harassed in other provinces or in Islamabad. "The performance of the provincial government should be audited."

The governor mentioned that they had invited the PTI through the speaker, but it seemed they were not interested in fighting for the province's resources. He stressed that they would continue to argue for the province's rights with reasoning. "The issues are ours, and it is our responsibility to solve them," he stated.

He also emphasised that the chief minister, who is also the provincial president of the ruling party, should have organized this conference. He stated that the declaration of the conference would be presented by the members of the provincial assembly and sent to the federal government. He also stated that the goal of everyone present is to find solutions for the rights and sustainable peace of the province. The Governor noted that all the political parties at the conference had proven they could fight for the rights of the province.