KP not getting help from Centre to fight terror: minister

MARDAN: Provincial Food Minister Zahir Shah Toru on Sunday said that terrorism was on the rise in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but the federal government had left the province alone in this war.

Speaking at a Meet-the-Press programme at the Mardan Press Club, he said that the province was currently facing the worst terrorism. He said that the police and other forces were fighting terrorists but lack of resources was a major obstacle for them.

The minister added that they were not getting the facilities that should be provided by the federation. He said that linking the release of the founder of PTI to the approval of the Minerals and Mines Bill was baseless propaganda. He added that the legislation would be approved with the approval of the PTI founder. He added that there was no provision regarding minerals that the federation can use the powers of the province. He argued that PTI was the largest party of the country. He said that there were definitely differences of opinion in the party, but there was no grouping of any kind. He added that the centre was not giving us resources and rights. The minister said that funds amounting to Rs110 billion allocated for the merged districts had not been provided yet.

Zahir Shah Toru added that until the supremacy of the constitution and law was established in the country, development was not possible. He added that they were fighting for uphold the constitution and rule of law.

He said that the chief minister during his recent visit to Mardan announced development projects worth billions, including more than Rs6 billion for the construction of protective embankments around Kalpani, a cultural hall and a science museum, while funds were also released for the projects abandoned by the previous governments.

He said that the provincial cabinet had approved additional funds worth Rs33 billion for ADP Plus development works. He added that another Rs200 million had been released for Benazir Children Hospital.