The handout said committee members at a meeting reviewed the draft bill and approved it based on the recommendations of lawmakers. It will now be tabled on the assembly floor for enactment.
The meeting was held at the K-P Assembly Secretariat and led by the select committee’s chairperson, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak. He told participants that reviewing the government’s policy on Afghan refugees and foreign affairs was essential for overall security.
The chief minister said the sizeable deployment of Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel along borders with tribal areas would not only protect K-P, but also prevent terrorist infiltration to other parts of the country. The handout quoted the chief minister as saying the K-P government has already informed the federal government of its stance on this matter.
Khattak said the K-P government would ensure the internal security of the province and make foolproof security arrangements. He added all such measures would be taken under a ‘safe city project’. Khattak made assurances all such steps would be provided with proper legal cover and the feasibility would be taken into account.
Not going it alone
While agreeing that providing security to all public and private installations was impossible for the provincial government alone, he believed safety could be achieved through the sharing of responsibilities. The CM added joint efforts and the sharing of responsibilities on part of private institutions and “specific segments of society could ensure 100% safety and security of everything”.
In the statement, Khattak said, “We could emerge a glorious nation if all and sundry, including legislators and people, strictly abide by the Constitution and laws.” The CM regretted that acts of terrorism traced back to more than 20 years yet did not receive adequate attention via internal or external security measures.
He said in developed countries, there were no police contingents seen guarding the commercial centres, banks, places of worship and other public spaces. He added security was ensured by the institutions concerned and individuals. The chief minister also urged private institutions and prominent figures to ensure their own security instead of burdening the national exchequer.
Across the aisle
K-P Minister for Law Imtiaz Quershi, agriculture minister Ikramullah Gandapur, secretary home and tribal affairs Syed Akhtar Ali Shah, secretary law Muhammad Airfeen Khan, IGP Nasir Khan Durrani and members of both the opposition and treasury benches attended the meeting. Both sides welcomed the comprehensive legislation.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 29th, 2014.
COMMENTS (4)
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@Adnan Siddiqi: Aaaah....your still burning from inside. Good job.
Yes ! agreed, that in order to provide security by the private sectors for security of their premises, it is again yet the duty of the fovt to provide strict laws for formation of private security companies with proper SOPs to ensure that they work efficiently & under proper accountability code...this is what other developed countries do ?
Good to see at least KP Police and Govt working in the right direction. It is humanly not possible for the police to guard every single soft target in the country, so responsibility has to be shared. This law will also help coordinate and communicate threats to vulnerable places in time.
"He said in developed countries, there were no police contingents seen guarding the commercial centres, banks, places of worship and other public spaces."
Mr. CM - in developed countries, a Chief Minister is supposed be the executive head of the province ensuring the safety and security of his people and their well being; not dancing on top of a container incessantly for three months.