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ISLAMABAD, Jan 28 (APP):Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Engr Amir Muqam Wednesday said that politicising every issue was against the national interests and stressed that terrorism was not the problem of any single political party or government, but of the entire nation, requiring collective resolve and unity.
Talking to the media on the sidelines of the “Kashmir: Wait & See” exhibition closing ceremony at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), the minister said intelligence-based operations were being carried out across the country under a single policy and there had been no change in the operational framework in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He rejected what he called misleading propaganda regarding the situation in Tirah, saying that all matters had been openly discussed in the cabinet and a clear decision had been taken to approve Rs4 billion.
He said deputy commissioners, commissioners and government representatives had remained part of continuous negotiations.
Amir Muqam said spreading fear among the public by distorting facts was unfair, adding that if there was any alternative to intelligence-based operations, it should be presented.
He said despite 12 years in power, no alternative roadmap for sustainable peace had been given.
He said double standards on terrorism were unacceptable and urged the provincial government to focus on public safety, economic challenges and governance instead of blame games.
He maintained that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was receiving its due share under the NFC Award on a regular basis, like other provinces, and called for a transparent account of the utilisation of resources.
“The chief minister is the representative of the entire province, not of a single slogan or individual. Politics is everyone’s right, but presenting solutions is also necessary,” he added.
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi also spoke to the media and said the provincial government was unwilling to sit with the federal government, which, he said, was not in the interest of the province.
He urged the provincial authorities to engage with the federation, present their case with logic and arguments, and resolve issues through dialogue. “If you put your case before the federation, funds will also be released,” he said.
The governor said distribution centres had been set up for affected families and ration had been distributed among 500 households.
He clarified that no military operation was underway in the province and that only intelligence-based operations were being conducted to maintain law and order.
He said statements by the provincial government regarding operations had created unnecessary fear, forcing people to leave their homes.
He demanded the immediate distribution of the approved Rs4 billion and called for urgent financial and food assistance for affected families in view of the harsh winter.
He said the provincial government’s focus remained on political issues instead of peace and public welfare, stressing that peace, development and prosperity required joint efforts of the federation and the province. “Politics can wait; peace is the foremost responsibility at this time,” he said.
Earlier, addressing the book launch and exhibition closing ceremony, Engr Amir Muqam described Kashmir as a human rights issue and praised Belgian documentary photographer and filmmaker Cedric Gerbehaye for preserving the reality of Kashmir through his work.
Addressing the ceremony, the federal minister said the work done by Gerbehaye was commendable and that he had beautifully and painstakingly documented Kashmir and portrayed the atrocities committed against Kashmiris through his photographs.
He announced that the Government of Pakistan would confer a national award on the photographer.
He said Kashmir was not merely a political dispute but a human story of suffering and resilience, and stressed that lasting peace in the region was only possible in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
He said the Kashmir cause did not belong to any single party and all Pakistanis could unite around it.
He urged that every platform should be used to convey the message that the world must work collectively for a just resolution of the Kashmir issue.
Addressing the ceremony, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi paid tribute to Cedric Gerbehaye on behalf of himself and the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying the Kashmir issue was not hidden from anyone.
He said Pakistan’s image in the world was changing, noting that Pakistan’s leadership was actively engaging internationally, the country was entering defence agreements, and other nations were keen to expand trade and business ties with Pakistan.
“We will continue to work together for the Kashmir cause and remember our Kashmiri brothers and sisters at every forum,” he said, adding that the presence of diplomats at the exhibition reflected that the international community stood with Pakistan on Kashmir.
Addressing the ceremony, Senator Mushahid Hussain said Kashmir remained at the heart of Pakistan’s foreign policy and represented a continuing human tragedy that demanded sustained global attention.
He described ‘Kashmir: Wait & See’ as a powerful visual testimony that humanizes the conflict and challenges the conscience of the international community.
He said documentary photography and cultural diplomacy were essential tools to counter silence and indifference, adding that voices like Cedric Gerbehaye’s help carry the Kashmir narrative beyond official statements into the realm of lived human experience.
He reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to raise the Kashmir issue at all international forums and stand firmly with the Kashmiri people in their just struggle for the right to self-determination.