PTI govt has failed to protect people in KP: Hoti

SWABI: Awami National Party (ANP) leader and former chief minister Ameer Haider Hoti on Tuesday accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of failing to ensure the security of the province’s residents.

Speaking at a gathering held to mark the 37th death anniversary of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Khan Abdul Wali Khan, he said: “The PTI leadership remained in contact with militants and has failed to provide a secure environment for the people as terrorism continues to engulf the entire province.”

The ANP leader lambasted the PTI government for its alleged inability to confront militants, claiming that its leaders held talks with the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and facilitated the return of 40,000 militants to the country. “And what was the outcome?” he questioned.

“We have paid a heavy price for the flawed policies of the PTI leadership,” Hoti said while recalling that our leaders had always stood up to tyranny and made immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.”

Expressing concern over the deteriorating law and order situation, Hoti pointed out that terrorism had hit areas such as Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, and Kurram. Dera Ismail Khan is the hometown of the Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

Hoti said the police in the merged districts were unable to provide adequate security to the public as they were now primarily focused on protecting themselves.The ANP leader paid tribute to Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Khan Abdul Wali Khan, pledging that the ANP leadership and workers would continue to uphold the philosophy of these revered leaders.