CM vows to protect mineral wealth

KARAK:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday reaffirmed his government's commitment to safeguarding the province's mineral wealth, declaring that no one would be allowed to seize control of resources that belong to the people of K-P.

Addressing a massive public gathering in Karak, CM Afridi said his administration was focused on strengthening peace and enhancing the capacity of police and other law enforcement institutions across the province.

"When the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) proposed my name for chief minister, baseless allegations were hurled against me and indecent language was used," he said. "But I chose to respond in a dignified and parliamentary manner."

The chief minister emphasized that K-P's natural and mineral resources were the exclusive property of its citizens. "We will not permit anyone to deprive the people of their rightful share," he asserted.

Afridi criticized the federal government for failing to honour its financial commitments to the merged tribal districts, saying Islamabad had promised Rs100 billion for their development but had yet to release the funds. "Similarly, Rs2.2 billion under the NFC award remains pending," he noted.

Taking aim at his political rivals, Afridi said, "Those sitting behind closed doors should look at the massive crowd in Karak today, this is proof that the people stand firmly with the PTI-led provincial government."

The chief minister announced several development initiatives for Karak, including the upgradation of the District Headquarters Hospital and other public projects. He also said the province would celebrate the Insaaf Student Federation's Foundation Day on November 14 "with great enthusiasm and energy."

Earlier, PTI's provincial president Junaid Akbar Khan called for political reconciliation and hinted at a new protest campaign.