MUZAFFARABAD, Oct 16: An AJK minister belonging to the Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) created a scene here on Tuesday after he walked out of the cabinet meeting in protest against “deplorable performance of police.”

It happened after acting IGP Shaikh Tahir Qayyum while briefing the cabinet on law and order situation in the region said police were trying to give their 100 per cent.

However, his assertions were incandescently rejected by MQM’s parliamentary leader in AJK assembly and minister for transport, Tahir Khokhar, who maintained that the police had not completed inquiry into the kidnapping and torture of his driver despite the lapse of around 20 days and instead the accused had got their bails confirmed.

After venting his anger, the minister walked out of the meeting in protest. However, Minister for Education (colleges) Matloob Inqilabi and Minister for Rehabilitation Abdul Majid Khan brought him back after giving some assurances on behalf of the premier.

An official handout confirmed that the prime minister had directed the police chief to arrest the accused involved in attack on Mr Khokhar’s driver within 24 hours. He also asked him to submit report on proceedings regarding alleged manhandling by police of the staff of forest minister Sardar Javed Ayub.

Assuring that the government would meet all legitimate needs of police he directed the IGP to dismiss those police personnel who were indulging in litigation in violation of rules and regulations.

Regarding the launch of NATCO (Northern Areas Transport company) service in AJK, the prime minister directed an official committee to talk to the local transporters and work out a mechanism to amicably launch of service.

It may be recalled here that Mr Khokhar had been enthusiastic about the launch of NATCO service in AJK. However, Leader of the Opposition Raja Farooq Haider had opposed it on the floor of Assembly. Later, local transporters, particularly those affiliated with the PML-N, had also staged a wheel-jam strike against the launch of service, bringing the government on back foot.

However, the situation was negatively exploited by some quarters.

In the same context, he prime minister made it clear that Gilgit-Baltistan was part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and a separate setup was installed there “just for administrative purposes.”

“People of Gilgit-Baltistan are our brethren and no negative message should go to them with regard to closure of bus service,” he said, alleging that some people were trying to politicise this issue.

The prime minister also directed secretary finance to enforce strict financial discipline in AJK to save the resources of state for their subsequent utilisation on welfare of people.