We do not need American aid, what we do need is these drones to stop. The PM has disappointed the nation in this regard, says Health Minister,
Shaukat Yousafzai. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Lawmakers in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Assembly on Friday expressed much frustration over the federal government’s silence on talks with the Taliban and said the province may have to go ahead with negotiations itself.
“We cannot let the issue of law and order linger this way and will make our own line of action if we are not satisfied with the federal government’s initiative,” said Information Minister Shah Farman.
The session was held mainly to pay tribute to assassinated minister Israrullah Gandapur, who lost his life during a suicide attack at his hujra in Dera Ismail Khan on Eidul Azha. Members from both opposition and treasury benches spoke fondly of Gandapur, who they said had a deep understanding of both politics and law. Lawmakers said his death is a loss for the whole nation.
Members of the treasury benches spoke about the suicide attack with respect to the federal government’s inaction on the resolutions of the all-parties conference (APC).
“We request the federal government to expedite the peace process,” said Health Minister Shaukat Yousafzai. He added K-P is a major stakeholder in the peace process and is on the receiving end of law and order problems. “The federal government has not shared any information about what they are actually doing in this regard.”
He said Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif’s visit to America was disappointing. “We do not need American aid, what we do need is these drones to stop. The PM has disappointed the nation on the matter.”
Senior provincial minister of the Jamaat-e-Islami, Sirajul Haq, said until there is a presence of imperialist powers such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) forces in the region, there is very little chance of peace. “The PM makes visits everywhere, but cannot chalk out a framework for the dialogue process,” Haq added. “It is not on the agenda of the federal government to achieve peace in the province. If they are not fulfilling their responsibility, then K-P itself must shoulder it. These delaying tactics are no longer tolerable,” Haq said.
Pakistan Peoples Party lawmaker Saleem Khan hit back at both the province and the centre. “The K-P government puts the blame on the centre and the centre comes up with excuses. Why is there no progress in the peace process?” He added the provincial government should continue to put pressure on the federal government.
“The Federally Administered Tribal Areas are the responsibility of the federal government. We cannot cross over with a provincial police force,” said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmaker Mushtaq Ghani. With reference to the relative peace in Punjab, he said: “I have a question from this house, why do all blasts occur in K-P and not in other regions?”
Journalists end boycott
After hours of debate and discussion, members of the Peshawar Press Club and Khyber Union of Journalists ended their boycott of assembly proceedings. The boycott was started on Thursday after the alleged manhandling of a journalist during a search operation in Peshawar.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2013.
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I agree. PM has turned out to be a big shame on the people. Only PTI can bring about a real positive.change.
Imran Khan all the way.