The law does not bar my appointment: K-P Governor

Reiterates his commitment to timely elections and tribal peace.

GHALLANAI:

The Constitution does not bar a tribesman from becoming a province’s governor, said newly-appointed governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Engineer Shaukatullah Khan, during his first official visit to the tribal areas on Sunday. 

Since he is a tribesman from the Federally Administered Areas (FATA), legal sources claimed that under the  18th Amendment of the Constitution, a province’s governor should be both a registered voter and resident of the province.

During his address to the tribal people, Khan said that his first priority would be to organise free and transparent elections in the tribal areas, while affirming that he had “no political affiliation with any political party.”

Earlier during his address to tribal elders, Khan said the country’s foreign policy was strong and that “peace in Pakistan was directly proportional to peace in Afghanistan”. He added that peace had ‘returned to the area’ after countless sacrifices made by tribesmen and law enforcement agencies’ personnel.

He also warned employees at the Fata Secretariat to be mindful of their duties and serve the tribesmen, or be prepared for strict action. At the same time, the governor announced an end to heavy taxation on check posts.

Chattan’s conference

Meanwhile, an MNA hailing from Bajaur Agency, Syed Akhunzada Chattan urged the Taliban to disarm themselves, and the government to end the ongoing military operation, so that either could find a way to negotiate better.

Addressing a press conference at Civil Colony, Bajaur Agency, Chattan reiterated the government’s initiative to hold talks with Taliban and termed it a positive gesture for lasting peace in the region. He was flanked by Pakistan People’s Party Bajaur Agency President Aurangzab Inqilabi, Secretary General Khan Bahadur and other workers.

With additional reporting by our correspondent in Bajaur Agency

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th, 2013.