ISLAMABAD:
A key opposition party turned up the heat on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government in Khyber-Pakhtunkwa (K-P) on Tuesday over its mishandling of the issue of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Several leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party came down hard on the K-P authorities, squarely blaming the PTI officials for the current plight of the IDPs.
“Since IDPs are in K-P so the provincial government should not shirk its responsibilities and instead should do some work for the uplift of these people, who have made sacrifices against terrorism and militancy,” said Senator Farhatullah Babar of the PPP.
Talking to media on the occasion of dispatching winter clothing for the IDPs in Bannu, Senator Babar said after the passage of 18th Amendment it is the responsibility of the provincial government to maintain law and order and ensure rehabilitation of the IDPs.
“We admire the heroic role of the IDPs. They are serving on the frontlines of the war against militancy,” he said.
Flanked by other party leaders, Babar condemned the recent police raid on the IDPs during the distribution of food. He called for the withdrawal of cases against the IDPs and action against the police officials who were responsible.
Former ambassador to the United States, Sherry Rehman, said her party would play a role towards bridging gaps. “This is a national issue and we should also work together for the rehabilitation of these people,” she said. “We will make efforts so the IDPs do not end up as refugees,” she added.
For the last three months, Rehman said, the PPP’s social services wing has been working for the rehabilitation of the IDPs.
“They are our own people. We ask the government to follow the Swat IDPs model when the PPP was in power and the IDPs rehabilitation was made within record time,” she said.
Adoption of children
PPP leader Zamurad Khan announced that he intended to adopt all the children who were orphaned during the war against militancy. “I request media and the personnel of Pakistan Army to bring into my notice, if they could find such children anywhere,” he added.
‘Grand Alliance’
Awami National Party (ANP) Senator Zahid Khan told The Express Tribune that his party head, Asfandyar Wali Khan, has made a grand alliance against the K-P government.
He said the ANP-led efforts had borne positive results and as all the political parties in the K-P had agreed to play a broader role for the rehabilitation of the IDPs.
“Due to our initiative, JI chief Sirajul Haq, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the PPP and Aftab Sherpao are now on the same page on the IDPs issue,” he added.
Senator Zahid has also submitted a privilege motion in the upper house to discuss all development projects in the K-P. Sharing the purpose of this move, he said the PTI government has become a hurdle to the progress of the militancy-hit province.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 19th, 2014.
COMMENTS (10)
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@Mirza: Go through the news again brother or ask someone who could translate for you. For your information IDPs HAVEN'T BEEN ALLOWED TO EVEN ENTER PUNJAB AND SINDH AT ALL AND THESE TWO PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS ARE THE PARTNERS IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS WELL AND ALLIES AGAINST PTI!! Moreover, the issue of IDPs (which is being discussed here and not residents of KP) is a federal subject NOT PROVINCIAL!!!!! IF THEY ARE CONFINED TO KP ONLY, THAT IS THE DECISION OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, IF YOU WISH THAT IDPs BE GIVEN SPECIAL CARE, THEN YOU SHOULD ASK FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO ACCOMMODATE THEM IN OTHER PROVINCES AS WELL, SIMPLE - YOU WILL GET YOUR ANSWER... ;-)
The people of Pakistan are fed up of The PMLN and the PPP indulging in Blaming others and yet incapable of even trying to help the children of THAR in Sindh and constraining the blood thirsty minority Killers in Punjab.
Dharna, agitation, and fighting for PM seat is most imp. The people of KPK can wait. They can only be helped after bigger goals are achieved at the federal level. Till such time they have to live on promises and words of the great leader's speeches.
Well it is not the fedral subject neither provincial subject it is the subject of pakistan period. 2nd important thing its not the the matter of few thousand people, for god sake it is 3 million people who are displaced. KP govt can not do any thing alone. federal govt should take concrete steps.
PTI govt could block NATO supply, though it was a federal subject, but now shying away from serving IDPs under this plea. In the last year, 80% of provincial budget was returned unused, why not now use provincial funds for IDPs, whereas your government can't make any other use of these funds?
PTI govt could block NATO supply, though it was a federal subject, but now shying away from serving IDPs under this plea. In the last year, 80% of provincial budget was returned unused, why not now use provincial funds for IDPs, whereas your government can't make any other use of these funds?
LOL what? First of all, the IDPs are a federal issue. Second, PPP was spearheading the pro-operation movement. Didnt it take IDPs? Oh wait, no it didnt. It barred the entry of IDPs in Sindh remember? KP is the only province taking care of IDPs. PPP is just scared it is about to be destroyed in Sindh by PTI.
Could anyone please ask this guy if Sindh and Punjab even allowed IDPs to enter! This had to be a national issue as it is a matter of Federal Government and not provincial, but Punjab and Sindh clearly issued the notification that due to security and polio reasons they wouldn't be allowed to enter!!
someone tell this old and senator that IDPs are federal subjects. He should know well since he was champion of 18th amendts which delegated many matters. Infact law and order situation in KPK is due to failure of federal policies/depts
What you people have done with your coalition partner ANP in KPK in your previous Govt. People of Pakistan & KPK have already seen it. ANP removed from KPK and now PPP is being removed from Sindh by PTI. You people only doing politics with IDPs and nothing more. Time has been changed so you have to change the politics grace. Do something to win the heart of people.