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ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 (APP):Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Safron Engineer Amir Muqam on Tuesday expressed solidarity with the people and internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying that law and order was a national issue beyond politics and required a collective response from all political parties.
Addressing a press conference here, he said lasting peace was essential for politics, economic stability, and development to move forward. “The nation has made immense sacrifices in the war against terrorism, and tragedies like the APS attack can never be forgotten,” he added.
He said decisions — whether related to military operations or negotiations — should be taken with the protection of lives and property of the people as the top priority.
He also criticised what he described as a lack of transparency in welfare initiatives such as the health card scheme, saying the public was facing difficulties due to mismanagement.
Muqam said blaming institutions only harmed Pakistan and stressed that the culture of political point-scoring should end.
He added that Pakistan’s international image was improving and that the country’s stance, particularly on the Kashmir issue, was receiving appreciation at global forums, including in South Africa.
He said this recognition was not the achievement of any single individual but of the entire nation. He said the youth, students, and overseas Pakistanis were looking for positive leadership, adding that public confidence in the leadership of Nawaz Sharif was reflected in the continued joining of political figures to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
On the occasion, Muhammad Jamal Nasir from Mardan announced his formal joining of the PML-N. Muqam said Kashmir Solidarity Day would be observed with full enthusiasm and that chief ministers in all provinces would lead rallies on the occasion.
He also said a consensus had been reached on the appointment of the chief election commissioner of Azad Kashmir and that the government was ready to extend all possible cooperation in the Yasin Malik case.
Speaking on the occasion, Nasir said he had decided to join the PML-N in the interest of national unity. He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had suffered from poor governance and insecurity for the past 13 years, leaving the youth frustrated and disillusioned.
He said the growing development gap between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was deepening a sense of deprivation. He said the PML-N had played a key role in approving projects such as the Sui gas scheme for the region, while development work had stalled during the previous government’s tenure.
He also called for equal opportunities for the youth across provinces, including the revival of schemes such as the laptop programme. A large number of party leaders and workers were present at the press conference.