ISLAMABAD: Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar has said that discussing the imposition of governor’s rule or an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is premature, while accusing the provincial government of failing to improve the law and order situation.
Speaking about the situation in the province, Tarar alleged that the KP government had completely failed to maintain law and order and claimed that it appeared to have sympathies with militants and the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
He said his position as a federal minister required him to speak only on verified information and that commenting on speculation about governor’s rule or an emergency would be premature.
The governance of the PTI government in the province has completely collapsed, Tarar said, alleging that militants were operating freely and that the provincial government had failed to strengthen the capacity of the police.
He said the people of KP were angry over the deteriorating security situation, adding that protecting the lives and property of citizens was the basic responsibility of the provincial government.
Tarar also criticised KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, saying it would be difficult for him to mobilise people under the current circumstances. He also questioned the feasibility of a proposed long march towards Islamabad amid the prevailing security situation.
If they want to hold a long march, they should hold it against terrorism and for the protection of the people, he said.
Tarar said maintaining security in Islamabad would remain a priority, particularly given the presence of the Diplomatic Enclave and foreign missions in the capital.
He said the government would make comprehensive security arrangements in Islamabad and would not allow the peace of the capital or the lives and property of citizens to be put at risk.
The federal minister also said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had committed to meeting the leadership of Jamaat-i-Islami following his return from London.
Tarar said Jamaat-i-Islami had generally staged peaceful protests and maintained a moderate tone in its political discourse. He added that the prime minister would meet the party leadership soon and the outcome of the meeting would be seen thereafter.
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