PESHAWAR: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmakers on Wednesday criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government over what they described as an unfair attack on the party in the provincial cabinet meeting’s official statement, urging political stakeholders to adopt dialogue instead of confrontation.
PPP Parliamentary Leader Ahmad Karim Kundi, along with MPA Arbab Zarak and other provincial lawmakers, addressed a joint press conference in Peshawar Press Club.
Kundi said he was “deeply saddened and disappointed” after reading the statement issued following the provincial cabinet meeting, alleging that the PPP had been unnecessarily targeted.
He said the PPP had repeatedly called for all stakeholders to sit together and find a political solution to the prevailing situation. According to Kundi, political parties should avoid a politics of violence, confrontation and unrest.
Referring to protests organised by different political groups, he said the Jamaat-e-Islami had also staged protests but had not resorted to violence or property damage.
Kundi criticised what he described as repeated statements about firing a bullet or turning Islamabad into a city of mourning. He questioned whether such rhetoric was appropriate for a political party, particularly when discussing plans to march towards the federal capital.
“We have always given priority to statements made by the federal and provincial governments in Parliament,” Kundi said, adding that his party had repeatedly called for an end to the politics of ammunition, violence and unrest.
He further alleged that talk of attacking the federal government was pushing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa towards further difficulties.
Kundi said the PPP had a strong parliamentary background and questioned the utilisation of funds provided by the federal government for the province’s fight against terrorism.
“Those who lecture others on the Constitution should read the Constitution themselves or engage in dialogue,” he said, referring to recent incidents in Dera Ismail Khan and Kohat.
The PPP leader also criticised the provincial government’s political approach, asking what kind of government could be run by “climbing onto a truck”. He also referred to former KP chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur, alleging that he had previously used similar confrontational rhetoric.
Kundi urged those criticising the PPP to “look within themselves” and claimed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had pushed the province into darkness.
He said PTI leaders needed to understand the constitutional distinction between an emergency and governor’s rule, while stressing that the PPP believed in dialogue, debate and parliamentary discussion.
“Will decisions taken behind closed doors now be made by sitting in a public square?” he questioned, referring to political decision-making.
Kundi also criticised the provincial government over participation in meetings of the National Finance Commission (NFC), saying important constitutional and financial matters could not be decided by sitting in public squares such as Yadgar Chowk or Bacha Khan Chowk.
Addressing concerns over security arrangements, he said that if the governor invites the Inspector General of Police or another official to a meeting regarding security, such a step falls within the constitutional framework.
ALSO READ: PHC Dismisses CM Sohail Afridi’s Plea Against ECP Notice
