Punjab urged to lift flour ban

Governors of Punjab, K-P stress dialogue on provincial issues

PESHAWAR:

Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan on Friday described the Pakistan Democratic Movement's (PDM) 18-month alliance as "a nightmare" but defended his decision to join hands with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to form a government, saying it was taken in the country's interest despite causing setbacks.

Speaking at a joint press conference at the Governor's House in Peshawar alongside Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Sardar Saleem said his visit to Peshawar was productive and included useful meetings with members of the provincial assembly. He urged political decisions to be taken through political channels and asked that PML-N and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to resolve their differences, saying PPP had always stood for Pakistan and democracy.

On the issue of Punjab's restriction on flour deliveries to K-P, the Punjab governor said he would raise the matter with his provincial chief minister, arguing that the country also consumes electricity and gas supplied by K-P and should not be prevented from receiving flour.

Sardar Saleem defended letting K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi meet the founder of PTI, saying such meetings pose no threat and political engagement should be allowed. He also took credit for the 26th constitutional amendment and said he had no detailed information about a proposed 27th amendment.

Governor Kundi urged the K-P government to form a provincial Jirga to press federal authorities for the province's rights and recommended that any committee be chaired by the opposition leader in the K-P assembly. He called for a new NFC award in light of increased population and area, defended security operations that he said prevented further deterioration of law and order, and expressed hope that the Pakistan-Afghan border would reopen soon. He too asked Punjab to lift the ban on flour supplies to K-P.