Working together: K-P govt pledges support to centre on counterterrorism

Assembly speaker says PTI will play its due role in devising joint strategy.

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser on Thursday said the provincial government will support all efforts of the federal government to end conflict and restore peace.

Qaiser’s statement came a day after the federal government officially announced to hold an all-parties conference (APC) on July 12 to evolve a national strategy to curb militancy and terrorism.



“We will strongly support every effort of the federal government for restoration of peace and stability in the country,” Qaiser told reporters after attending a Private Education Network (PEN) event at the Peshawar Press Club.

“We need to sort out political solutions for all issues by devising a joint mechanism,” he said, adding dialogue was the best way forward.

“It (restoring peace) is the top priority of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial government, which is making all efforts to tackle the worsening law and order situation.”

Eyes on education

Speaking earlier at the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected provincial cabinet of Private Education Network (PEN), Qaiser said education is paramount for development and progress. He added nobody could afford to neglect its importance in a developing and emerging society.

He said the role of the private sector is vital for the promotion of education as it lessens the burden on government institutions which have limited capacity and resources.

Qaiser assured no discriminatory policy would be employed against the private sector, and the provincial government will make all policies after consulting the former.

Talking about the initiatives taken by the PTI-led government, Qaiser said it had made a record increase in the education budget.

Besides establishing new education institutes, the government will focus on rebuilding damaged schools along with providing adequate facilities at present ones, he added.

PEN K-P chapter’s President Mohammad Saleem Khan, Senior Vice President Amjad Ali Shah, General Secretary Advocate Attaur Rahman and others also spoke on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2013.