Kundi co-chairs Apex Committee meeting with Naqvi
Says counterterrorism and development top priorities
Vows probe i
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi speaks with K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi at a ceremony to hand over armoured vehicles to the K-P police at the Governor House. PHOTO: EXPRESS SCREENGRAB
PESHAWAR:
The federal and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) governments on Monday pledged coordinated action against terrorism, promising to strengthen the police and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and accelerate development in the province following the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule.
The commitment was made at a meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee at the Governor House, co-chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. The meeting reviewed the security situation and measures to eradicate terrorism and establish lasting peace.
Speaking a press conference after the meeting, Governor Kundi said addressing problems that had accumulated over the past 13 years was a major challenge. He stressed that decisions concerning the province would henceforth be made in Islamabad, not Kabul.
The forum directed all relevant institutions to take “coordinated, effective and decisive” steps against terrorism, reiterating that intelligence-based operations (IBOs) would continue and all available resources would be utilised to improve law and order.
It decided to strengthen the operational capacity of the police and CTD by providing modern equipment, vehicles, armoured vehicles, weapons and the required manpower. Participants paid tribute to security personnel who had sacrificed their lives in the fight against terrorism and offered Fateha for the martyrs.
The meeting also agreed to prioritise long-standing public issues relating to education, healthcare, living standards and basic amenities, particularly in underdeveloped and affected areas. Public needs, local priorities and suggestions would be incorporated into policymaking.
Naqvi said the federal government would extend full support to the province in combating terrorism and strengthening its law-enforcement agencies. He said the fight against terrorism could be pursued more effectively if the provincial administration took the lead through firm, coordinated and sustained efforts.
He said 10 new armoured vehicles belonging to the Islamabad Police had been handed over to the K-P police on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. “The vehicles have been provided to strengthen counterterrorism operations in K-P,” Naqvi added.
The interior minister said the security situation had deteriorated over the past two and a half years because of an ineffective counterterrorism approach. He added that the federal and provincial governments were now on the same page in their efforts to restore lasting peace.
Separately, Naqvi also chaired a meeting of the Area Development Secretariat (ADS) to review security, development requirements and public grievances in 12 designated districts, including the merged tribal districts, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank and Dera Ismail Khan.
The meeting decided to provide immediate funds to support peace and development, stressing the timely completion of ongoing projects and the transparent and effective use of federal allocations. Participants also discussed measures to reduce unemployment and create job opportunities for young people.
The governor said security would remain the administration’s first priority, followed by development. He stressed that the government would pursue practical, results-oriented measures rather than cosmetic steps and called for restoring freedom of movement in terrorism-affected districts.
Kundi later told reporters that a decision had been taken to investigate alleged corruption and irregular recruitment during the ousted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. “Whether someone is small or powerful, anyone found involved in corruption will be arrested, punished and made to return the money.”
The governor said the public had rejected the politics of chaos and that no one would now be allowed to engage in vandalism. He alleged that the PTI had supported terrorism, adding, “We have to eliminate terrorism. Now, policy will come from Islamabad, not Afghanistan,” he said.
“The people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have made immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. The people of the province and the security institutions are united in this fight. This is our own war, and we must fight it together,” he added.
Governor Kundi said addressing problems that had accumulated during the PTI’s 13 years in power in the province was a major challenge, but efforts would be made over the next three months to improve and reform the system.
The governor said the federal cabinet had decided the previous day to establish an advisory council, whose members had all assumed their responsibilities. A security committee meeting had been held the previous day, while the Apex Committee meeting was convened on the first working day.
He made it clear that there would be no compromise on law and order in the province. He said the provincial government stood with the Pakistan Army, police, Frontier Constabulary (FC) and other law-enforcement agencies and would provide them with all necessary resources and facilities.
He said steps would be taken to equip the police with modern weapons and essential equipment. The government would also review proposals to increase the salaries of K-P police personnel and enhance the compensation package for the families of police martyrs.
Kundi said the federal interior minister had handed over 10 armoured personnel carrier (APC) vehicles to the K-P police. He added that pending projects aimed at strengthening the force’s operational capacity would be completed soon.
