Information Minister Attaullah Tarar declared on Tuesday that the government will not permit any disturbances in Islamabad as it intensifies security measures ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) planned protest and long march. Speaking at the Peshawar Press Club during the inauguration of the renovated Radio Pakistan building, Tarar emphasized the government’s resolve to maintain law and order and protect public property from damage.
He stressed that the government harbors no hostility towards any group and is committed to resolving issues through political dialogue. Tarar firmly stated that under no circumstances would unrest be allowed in the capital.
Questioning PTI’s protest strategy, he urged political parties to focus on politics rather than fomenting disorder. Notably, Tarar mentioned that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had recently spoken by phone with Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, highlighting ongoing government engagement with the party.
Regarding PTI, Tarar expressed uncertainty about who within the party holds the authority to negotiate or implement decisions, specifically questioning the role of PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan in this regard.
Turning to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Tarar criticized the provincial administration’s performance, attributing shortcomings not to a lack of resources but to a lack of will to pursue development. He pointed out that the federal government had allocated billions of rupees to KP through the National Finance Commission, yet questioned how effectively these funds were utilized, particularly for law and order.
While acknowledging that maintaining law and order is not solely the federal government’s responsibility, Tarar urged the KP government to demonstrate greater seriousness. He reiterated the federal government’s willingness to collaborate with KP across various sectors, despite the provincial government’s repeated refusals of federal assistance.
Tarar also challenged the provincial government’s capacity to generate tax revenue, emphasizing the importance of public contribution to the provincial fiscal system. He highlighted deficiencies in KP’s health and public services, noting that many doctors from the province relocate to Punjab due to inadequate facilities.
Further, he questioned the financial requirements and implementation of KP’s Safe City project and forensic laboratory, underscoring concerns about resource management. The minister affirmed that the federal government would continue efforts to safeguard the province’s resources and promote security and development.
On the issue of Afghanistan, Tarar stated that Pakistan does not desire Afghan territory or its people to be used against it. He recalled Pakistan’s long-standing hospitality towards millions of Afghan refugees but warned against the use of Afghan soil for hostile activities targeting Pakistan. The current policy on Afghan students remains unchanged, he added.
Tarar also revealed that the government possesses video and intelligence evidence indicating militants crossing into Pakistan from Afghanistan. He criticized PTI for prioritizing political narratives over development and pledged that the federal government would persist in demanding accountability from the KP administration regarding its performance.
Leave an opinion