The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa cabinet on Thursday strongly condemned the Indian government's reaction to the recent militant attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, particularly criticizing New Delhi's move to suspend the crucial Indus Waters Treaty.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur also slammed the steps taken by India, calling New Delhi's aggressive posture in the wake of the incident as highly regrettable and utterly unacceptable.
Presiding over the 31st meeting of the provincial cabinet, he declared: "Pakistan is fully prepared to give a befitting response to any form of Indian aggression."
He observed that the Modi-led government is attempting, under a well-orchestrated conspiracy, to exploit the Pahalgam incident against Pakistan, but this malicious attempt is destined to fail.
"The incident itself is a glaring proof of the Indian government's security and administrative failure".
The CM warned that if the Indian government tries to use the incident as a pretext for any kind of adventurism, it will have to bear severe consequences.
"We are fully united for upholding the sovereignty, integrity and interest of our country, Pakistan. We are always prepared to make every sacrifice for our nation and homeland" asserted the CM.
The meeting was attended by cabinet members, chief secretary, additional chief secretaries, senior member of the Board of Revenue, administrative secretaries and the advocate general.
The cabinet approved a draft bill for amendment in section-12 of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Charities Act, 2019. The amendment provides for the renewal of charity registrations every two years.
Similarly, the cabinet also approved adding new set of rules Part IX-A in the West Pakistan Land Revenue Rules, 1968 in pursuance of the provisions of sections 121, 122 (2), 129 (1), 148 and 182 of the West Pakistan Land Revenue Act, 1967.
The new set of rules pertains to demarcation of land and eviction of unauthorized landowners.
The cabinet approved amendments in the Rules of Business 1985 in respect of Social Welfare, Special Education & Women Empowerment Department allowing the department to place gender parity report before the provincial assembly on an annual basis. The cabinet also approved Rs1 billion as grant in aid for smooth operation of Peshawar BRT Services during the current financial year.
The cabinet approved forwarding the joint Resolution No 132 adopted by the provincial assembly to the federal government, which states that "The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly categorically rejects the proposed amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), as they are contrary to the principles of a free press and freedom of expression.
The Assembly stands in full solidarity with the journalist community and strongly condemns any action aimed at restricting or suppressing journalistic freedoms.
We therefore call upon the provincial government to recommend to the federal government that all controversial, undemocratic, and oppressive amendments to the PECA law be withdrawn."
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