ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised serious concern over resurfacing of terrorism in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, accusing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of failing to maintain security despite availability of special funds.

In his remarks at meeting of Cabinet he said that PTI had been ruling province for last 10 years and was responsible to ensure safety of lives of innocent people that suffered new spate of terrorist incidents. He said that Rs 417 billion were provided to K-P government since 2010 under National Finance Commission Award and that funding was supposed to be used for capacity-building of KP police and security forces. He said that money was province’s right, but questioned where amount was spent.

“Where was this money spent despite establishment of National Counter Terrorism Authority and Counter Terrorism Department?” he questioned. He recalled that previous defeat was exacted on terrorist elements through Radd-ul-Fasaad and Zarb-e-Azb operations which restored peace across Pakistan.

He said that nation wanted K-P government to be held accountable for return of terrorism in province.

“Who regarded terrorist as ‘jihadi’ and let them return?” he asked, in an apparent remarked aimed at PTI Chairman Imran Khan. He lauded courage and resilience of people of K-P for bearing brunt of terrorism. He added that people from different walks of life, including politicians, rendered their lives in war against terror and reiterated that resurfacing of terrorist elements was matter of concern. He said several members of political families in province and also former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto had lost their life in wake of terrorist incidents. He warned that if urgent measures were not taken to control terrorism, it could spread to rest of country. He vowed to “Unitedly” fight scourge and ensure peace in country.

He put aside routine agenda of Cabinet to solely discuss issue of terrorism, saying that an in-camera session could be held for further deliberations. PM remarks come amidst an uptick in terror, particularly in K-P province.

PM Shehbaz’s remarks come amidst an uptick in terror, particularly in the K-P province. Earlier this week, at least 100 people, most of them policemen, were martyred and dozens sustained injuries after a suicide bomber blew himself up at a mosque in Peshawar’s highly-fortified Police Lines area during the afternoon prayers.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 02 2023

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