PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Thursday said that he had requested the ‘authorities’ for permission to hold talks with the Afghan government for peace in the province.

“If my request is not considered, I, as the chief minister of KP, will lead our tribal elders to Afghanistan for a dialogue with the interim government,” Mr Gandapur told a tribal jirga at the Chief Minister’s House on Thursday, according to an official statement.

The participants included tribal elders and representatives of political parties.

The chief minister said peace in the province was linked to a peaceful Afghanistan.

Warns to lead tribal elders to Kabul for dialogue, if request not considered

He stressed the need for a clear policy and timeline to eliminate militancy.

“I’ll soon call a meeting of the provincial apex committee on this matter,” he said.

Mr Gandapur urged authorities to take people on board before launching any military offensive against militancy and said no war could be won without the people’s support.

He said law and order should be maintained at all costs.

The chief minister criticised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government over “failure” to fulfil its promises for the development of merged tribal districts, including a share in the National Finance Commission Award.

He said the tribal districts should be provided with adequate funds for counterterrorism and infrastructure development.

Mr Gandapur said his government was strengthening police in those districts as they, along with security forces, were responsible for maintaining law and order.

He demanded action against “unauthorised” elements in the province and appreciated tribal elders for playing their due role in the elimination of such elements.

“There is a need to ask tribal people about their problems for resolution,” he said, calling for an end to violence against them.

The chief minister said his government had launched several development projects in tribal districts and would ensure adequate funding for them.

He urged local residents to help protect development projects and ensure quality work.

Mr Gandapur said local bodies lacked authority but his government would empower them in line with the vision of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan.

Tribal elders highlighted their issues about healthcare, education, law and order, drinking water, power supply, infrastructure, and administration, and suggested solutions, according to the official statement.

They called for the elimination of militancy and said all government initiatives for the purpose should be supported.

Meanwhile, Gandapur defended the recent cabinet reshuffle, insisting the move came with PTI founder Imran Khan’s approval after the ministers’ performance was reviewed.

“The former minister [Shakil Khan] was removed over corruption on the recommendation of a good governance committee formed by Imran Khan,” the chief minister told reporters after attending a high court hearing into his transit bail plea here on Thursday.

Mr Gandapur said he didn’t want to harm his party’s interests by issuing statements against anyone.

He, however, said conspirators and their aides would be “taught a lesson.”

The chief minister said the PTI’s last political gathering in Islamabad was called off by Mr Khan.

He said he would lead the party’s Sept 8 public meeting in the capital city.

“We won’t accept any message on the cancellation of our Sept 8 power show in Islamabad that will take place at all costs,” he said.

Mr Gandapur resented “fake” cases against his party’s activists and declared their registration an act of injustice.

“We [PTI] are fighting for the supremacy of the law and will stand with Imran Khan,” he said.

The chief minister said the federal government was responsible for the country’s economic problems.

He promised jobs and development to people of the province and said his government was striving to improve people’s financial condition.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2024