K-P demands security chiefs face assembly

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has demanded that military and police officials be summoned to the provincial assembly to provide lawmakers with an in-camera briefing on the prevailing law and order situation.

Speaking during the Assembly session on Friday, Provincial Minister Arshad Ayub said, "We don't know what happens in the Apex Committee. Lawmakers should be briefed directly."

The minister also criticized the federal government for what he termed discriminatory treatment of K-P. He said the province bore the brunt of recent floods, suffering the highest human and financial losses, yet instead of relief, the supply of wheat flour was cut off. "This was given to us as a gift," he remarked sarcastically, adding that even Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz did not extend assistance to her in-laws' hometown of Mansehra.

Ayub alleged that the federal government was treating K-P like a "stepchild," neglecting it in development projects, withholding due shares in the NFC award and other allocations, and failing to release funds for the tribal districts. He said promises made to the province had not been fulfilled.

Expressing concern over the resurgence of terrorism, the minister questioned how terrorists had access to advanced weaponry beyond the capability of local security forces. He stressed that both military and police leadership should appear before the assembly to answer legislators' queries.

"Our constituents ask us questions. Lawmakers, too, have serious concerns. That is why we demand an in-camera briefing," he concluded.