Mutual Dialogue: Imran Khan says PTI will back the federal government if it formulates an anti-drone policy. PHOTO PPI
In his first visit to the province since Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) formed government, Imran Khan urged for a national policy to end terrorism in the region.
Addressing a press conference at the Chief Minister Secretariat after meeting his party’s coalition partners on Monday, Khan claimed there was peace in the tribal areas before 2004, but the leaders initiated military operations at the behest of the US sabotaging the region’s tranquillity.
Since the May 11 elections, two MPAs have died in acts of violence in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
“The US itself has opened a political office for peace talks with the Taliban while they push us to conduct military operations against them,” Khan said, according to the press release issued.
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government cannot succeed in achieving peace unless the federal government comes up with a home-based national policy against terrorism. “To achieve peace the federal government must distance itself from the war on terror,” he insisted.
The leader said whenever the government takes initiative for peace talks with the Taliban, the US conducts a drone strike derailing the whole process. Reiterating PTI’s stance regarding drones, Khan said they would support the federal government if it formulates an anti-drone policy.
Speaking about the increase in sectarian violence in the country, Khan said, “There must be a clear national policy on the issue. Just like K-P, Balochistan is also gravely affected by such violence.”
Outlining the PTI-led government’s role in ensuring transparency and ending corruption, Khan maintained all government advisors, MPAs, ministers and bureaucrats will reveal their assets which will be uploaded on government websites for the public’s knowledge.
“We are trying to reduce government expenses and looking for new ways to increase revenue,” Khan said. The 32 rest houses in Galyat for MPAs will be converted to guest houses and the revenue generated from that will be spent on the area’s development, he added.
Khan announced development funds would no longer be given to MPAs instead they would be spent through the district development authority once the new local government system is in place, which aims to empower people at the grassroots level.
Referring to pledges made during election campaigns in Kohat and Karak, the PTI chairman said district development authorities will be constituted to spend the revenue generated from oil and gas royalty. “No royalty funds will be given to MPAs.”
He also revealed that ministers could no longer order the postings or transfers of government officials instead, if any complaints are filed against government officials and employees, an inquiry will be conducted to look into the matter.
Laying out his party’s plans for curbing corruption and ensuring accountability, Khan said the K-P government would constitute a corruption cell under which an independent commission will carry out inquiries.
Replying to a question about charging former president Pervez Musharraf under Article-6 of the Constitution, Khan said, “The rule of law must be ensured. All the problems we have faced in the past five years are mainly because the Constitution was not followed in its true spirit.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 25th, 2013.
COMMENTS (9)
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@Shaami: Terrorism is a national issue and IK has gone far beyond any NS and SS to raise it internationally and nationally and he is specially talking about drone policy which are only dropped in KPK. Do not just find faults in IK to justify SS inactivity in that regard.
Law and Order is purely provincial matter to maintain security in province is PTI's responsibility? What are you waiting for..? let the people suffer unless a policy of your choice comes in......? What if they make policy not of your choice.......? Will you let the suffering continue...? What if US dont stop drones..? you would still have these lame excuses ?
@Nawaz Sharif: hahahahahahah.......spoken like a true demented pti supporter
There's a difference between Punjab and KPK. In Punjab, police has failed to maintain law and order, while KPK is hit by terrorism. FATA is where the terrorism erupts from, and it is controlled by the federal government. Lest we forget, it is FEDERALLY Administered Tribal Area, and is not a provincial subject. So for peace in KPK, we need peace in FATA, and for peace in FATA, federal government is responsible. So Khan is right when he asks federal government to have a 'clear national policy on terrorism.'
Measures that KPK is taking regarding transparency are commendable, and lets hope they do not just remain words, but are actually implemented too.
When the JI and PTI coalition fails it would be the fault of the others not his KPK govt. Before elections 90 days after elections it should be the federal govt of others. Before elections no cooperation with the other parties after the elections dependence on the others.
Well one should make a difference in kp and punjab.punjab is facing law and order while kp is going through terror.fact of day is only pashtuns are suffering on both sides...rest are sucking their blood.
I am sorry to say but Mr. Khan is really turning out to be either a big coward or just another ethnic-minded and tribal-minded leader. It is disgusting that in the past week, so many Pakistanis have been bombed or shot to death by those militants and he continues to cash in on anti-americanism. Why doesnt he call a spade a spade and CONDEMN unequivocally the terrorist actions by calling the terrorists what they are: terrorists? Why doesnt he simply request for real action to be taken against these criminals rather than flimsy explanations of what the US is doing? It is so disgusting.
When those maniacs attack a lawmaker and his young son coming out of Friday prayers, or kill foreign tourists enjoying God's gifts of nature, or blow up folks in Imran Khan's own KP, they do not, and I must repeat, do not talk about what the US policy is in their tribal areas. They take responsibility with pride and vow to continue their barbarism against PAKISTAN unless their holy version of laws are established.
Let alone call them terrorists, this so-called great Khan does not even come out with a proper condemnation of those terrorist acts.
I think its a sign of maturity that the PTI government isnt complicating matters for the center, and is instead urging them to take lead on the issues of terrorism and drone attacks. . Though some people are hating on them for not blocking Nato supplies, these same 'people' would also hate on them if they did, and accuse them of derailing democracy by indulging in unnecessary conflict with the center. . Therefore, other than a few gaffes here and there, and a condemnable statement by an MNA from mardan...PTI has so far done well in the 3 odd weeks since the governments have formed in the center and the provinces. . Kudos!
Basically Imran Khan meant to say that any failure of the KPK government in future will be on Federal government. But i have a question that when Imran Khan in election campaigns used to bash Shahbaz Sharif for lack of security in Punjab and used to say that police and civilian protection is a Provincial issue rather than federal then his previous statements of Provincial responsibility apply on KPK as well or not?