KP needs peace and jobs, not sit-ins and long marches: Minister Azma

LAHORE, Oct 05 (APP): Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Bukhari has criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government over the province’s law and order situation, saying KP is in the grip of terrorism while its chief minister is busy leading political marches.

In a statement issued here on Monday, she said that for the past 13 years, the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been subjected to sit-ins, public meetings, rallies and long marches.

She said that in the absence of peace and employment opportunities, people of the province would be forced to move to other provinces in search of security and jobs. “A government that cannot protect its own people has no right to remain in power,” she said.

Azma Bukhari said Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was the only chief minister who was leading a march, accompanied by a large contingent, within his own province. She alleged that using a government helicopter to make derogatory remarks against the federation was a violation of a court order. The minister said using state resources for “mob politics” was an old practice of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

She alleged that Afridi had prioritised providing protection to terrorists over maintaining peace in the province.

Bukhari said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was currently at the mercy of terrorists, drug dealers and smugglers.

She alleged that the KP government was itself creating circumstances that could force the federal government to take constitutional measures in the province.

“The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cannot be left at the mercy of terrorists and mobs under any circumstances,” she said.