A friendship of convenience: JUI-S extends support to PTI to stop NATO supplies

In an unprecedented move, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Minister for Information Shah Farman on Monday sought the support of JUI-S in halting Nato supplies after November 20 – the deadline set by the provincial government to push the centre to do the same.

In a meeting with JUI-S central deputy secretary Maulana Hamidul Haq and Ameer Maulana Sayed Muhammad Yousaf Shah at Darul Uloom Haqqania in Akora Khattak, Farman urged them to lend PTI support in order to put an end to US drone strikes. In response, the JUI-S leaders promised full support to the ruling party.

Leaders of the two parties have decided to soon hold a meeting to chalk out a plan for maintaining law and order and holding local government elections in the province.

Undeterred

K-P Minister for Health Shaukat Yousafzai maintains the party will use all its political muscle to halt Nato supplies.

“Our party’s strength extends from Karachi to Khyber. We can utilise this strength to halt Nato supplies not only from K-P, but also from Karachi,” Yousafzai said while speaking at the Peshawar Press Club during a ceremony held to distribute health insurance certificates.

Referring to the resolution passed to this effect in the K-P Assembly, he added they have given an ultimatum to the federal government to take all possible steps to block Nato supplies until US drone attacks stop.

Yousafzai said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif had promised to take the nation out of its present state of chaos and restore peace, but nothing has been done to this end so far.

“Sharif’s visit to America was unsuccessful. He failed to represent the country and take a solid stand on the drone issue,” he said of the premier’s recent visit.

Yousafzai said some people believe PTI can lose their government in K-P if they take action against the will of the federal government. “But PTI is not worried about losing. We just want to fulfil our promises to the people.”

Denying rumours of differences within the coalition government, Yousafzai said PTI enjoys full support of Qaumi Watan Party and Jamaat-e-Islami over the issue.

Talking about the portfolio which he looks over, Yousafzai claimed the government is taking “revolutionary steps” to provide the best possible health facilities to everyone in the province.

“We will ensure hospitals in every city, including Chitral, Kohistan and DI Khan, provide equal services as those in the main hospitals of Peshawar,” he said, adding the government has hired 500 doctors, 600 nurses and 400 medical technicians in different hospitals.

Yousafzai also added commissioners in all districts have been directed to prepare a plan to bring the health system along modern lines.

“We had nothing when we came in the government. We had to prepare and plan everything from scratch,” said the health minister, adding it would take some time, but the fruit of their efforts would eventually trickle down to the public.

Around 350 journalists associated with Peshawar Press Club and Khyber Union of Journalists were awarded health insurance certificates at the distribution ceremony.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th,2013.