After the formation of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, party chief Imran Khan visited Peshawar for the first time on Monday and held talks with Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and others.
The PTI leadership announced multi-dimensional strategies in connection with implementation of party’s agenda and tackling the menace of terrorism.
“Unless we get rid of the US-led war on terror, no one can ensure an end to terrorism in the country,” Khan said while addressing a press conference at Peshawar Civil Secretariat.
He said Pakistan had no concern with the war on terror, but the war had been imposed on the country. He viewed that the ongoing violence and terrorism were reaction to Pakistan’s involvement in the war on terror.
Opposing US drone attacks, the PTI chief termed it violation of the country’s sovereignty and solidarity. He claimed that innocent people were being killed in US drone attacks, adding that the US must stop the attacks as almost all Pakistanis were against them.
He, however, said the PTI was going to chalk out its strategy against the US drone attacks along with policies for combating trends of violence and terrorism.
Reaffirming his party’s resolve of an early restoration of peace and end to terrorism and militancy, Khan said, “It is top on the PTI priority list. We are determined to bring an anti-terrorism policy and in this respect, efforts and home work is underway.”
He said terrorism had become a national issue, therefore, the entire country would have to get united against terrorism.
Besides disassociation from what Khan called the US war on terror, the PTI chief said, “Getting rid of terrorism and militancy will become easy if the long-standing issue of Federally Administrative Tribal Areas (FATA) is resolved.” He, however, did not elaborate how the same could be resolved.
Khan said terrorism had not only cost thousands of innocent lives throughout the country, but it had badly affected national economy. The PTI chairman said the previous provincial government sustained losses of Rs 100 billion as a result of terrorism.
Commenting on the PTI’s agenda, Khan said, “We are making plans for combating trends of corruption and in this respect an independent commission could be constituted which will be responsible for monitoring activities and performance of ministers and members of assemblies.”
He said all provincial ministers would not indulge themselves in business directly or indirectly, otherwise they would face stern action.
Khan said under the PTI government, MPAs, whether they were in the government or opposition, would not receive development funds.
“All such funds would be utilised through the local government institutions.”
Khan also announced the establishment of a cell for Karak and Kohat districts, where oil and gas is produced but people still face severe hardships. The cell would ensure addressing genuine problems and hardships of the people in the two districts.
Khan made it clear that no one would be allowed to interfere in the affairs of the government. “All affairs and decisions would be made by the bureaucracy in accordance with laws and the PTI government will frame policies in this respect. No posting or transfer will be made on the recommendation and interference of MPAs.”
The PTI chief said all ministers, MPAs and bureaucrats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would declare their assets, else they would face action. “Declaration of assets is essential for combating trends of corruption.”