Imran Khan replies to questions live on Radio K-P FM 92.2. PHOTO: INP
The head of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was speaking during an hour-long live question and answer session at Radio Pakhtunkhwa FM 92.2 where K-P Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak and Information Minister Mushtaq Ghani were also present. The questions were asked by telephone and through social media.
The bar on jurisdiction of superior courts in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas means the FCR is the prime law governing the tribal agencies since its introduction by the British in 1901. One of its most controversial provisions allows a political agent to fix “territorial” and “collective” responsibilities for crimes; whereby, whole tribes are punished for a crime committed by an individual.
Answering questions at the radio station, Imran claimed people around the country were unaware of the changes taking place in K-P under the PTI government. During the Senate polls, he said, all the people were looking at PTI as it was contesting the elections for the first time.
“They were waiting that our MPAs would also be available for sale but the elected MPAs, though offered millions, refused to sell their votes,” he said. “The seven elected senators will properly represent the people of the province in the centre.”
But now, he added referring to the Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, the question was whether the Senate would be able to play its role in a situation where the government and the opposition have joined hands.
“It is the same Zardari, who was blamed for mega scams. Now they are beloved friends,” Imran said criticising the opposition parties.
To a question by Ahsan Khan from Peshawar regarding the anti-encroachment drives, the PTI chief replied that people were satisfied with the removal of encroachments. “Such drives will be carried out in all the major cities of K-P. The initiative has already been taken in Galyat.”
While fielding a question of a sacked employee of the prison department, Imran said the government would introduce merit-based recruitments through the National Testing Service system. “Even the teachers were hired on political grounds by the previous government,” he said, claiming that teacher attendance has improved in 90 per cent of schools since the PTI took over the province.
The PTI leader said that the war on terror has shut down 70 per cent of industry in K-P. “K-P is the worst-affected province of the country, but people want to come here for investments,” he said. “The industries will be given all possible facilities that will generate employment.”
About construction of playgrounds in every district, he said the government would extend the project to every tehsil in the coming year. “K-P is the first province to have made the police completely free of politics,” he added.
Speaking about water shortages, Imran said the issue was severe in southern parts of K-P, especially Karak. “We have to start planning for this issue from today or else this might result in a catastrophic situation in the future.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2015.
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