Hoti concerned over security situation in country

BATKHELA: Expressing concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the country,Awami National Party (ANP) leader and former chief minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on Thursday said that his party was fighting for the rights of the people, not for power.

“Balochistan is at risk of slipping out of the government’s control. And even China is not satisfied with the security measures,” he said and urged the government to take immediate action to address the crisis.

Speaking at a large public gathering in connection with the death anniversaries of Bacha Khan and Wali Khan in Thana Baizai in Malakand, Hoti criticised the incumbent provincial and federal leadership for failing to maintain law and order.

The former chief minister slammed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for remaining silent on rising terrorism, pointing to deteriorating law and order in Kurram, Bajaur, Khyber, Bannu, Tank, Karak and Dera Ismail Khan. “Is there peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa today?” he asked.

Hoti recalled that during his tenure, restoring peace was the biggest challenge. “Our government was not formed under Form 47. We first tried negotiations through a jirga, and when that failed, we launched military operations to eliminate terrorists,” he added.

The ANP leader accused the establishment of imposing its own choices on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying that “PTI workers voted against the establishment, yet the new chief minister is their representative.”

Hoti said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s resources belong to its people and condemned efforts to reverse the 18th Amendment, which granted provinces greater autonomy.“Through the 18th Amendment, we achieved provincial autonomy, renamed NWFP as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and revolutionized the education and health sectors. Now, our autonomy is under threat again,” he said.

Regarding PTI leader Imran Khan, Hoti claimed that Khan eventually “wrote the letter,” indicating political surrender. “Pashtuns are taken to Islamabad for protests but are left alone on the battlefield,” he remarked.