KP government’s measures reduced crime, terrorism, claims Khattak

PESHAWAR: At a meeting held here Tuesday to take stock of the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak said the reforms and legislations introduced by his government revamped the system of governance in the province leading to the sharp decline in crime rate and acts of terrorism.

An official handout said the chief minister was presiding over the meeting that was also attended by Lt Gen (retd) Nasir Khan Janjua, the Prime Minister’s National security advisor, and his team.

It said Lt Gen (retd) Nasir Janjua appreciated the Chief Minister and his team for implementation of the NAP in KP and termed it as an example for other provinces to follow. He noted that KP was the worst hit province in the war on terror and the sacrifices made by its people had set an example. He said the federal government and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were on the same page, adding other provinces should replicate the reforms and the excellent work done by KP government.

According to Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, other factors that improved the overall law and order situation included operation Zarb-e-Azb, efficient border management and the responsiveness of all government machinery in the province.

“The provincial government is alert to the situation and it is showing no leniency in the cause of total security to the public property and lives. We have already set our targets and are moving gradually with a vigilant eye. We would not rest until we achieve our targets,” he added.

Pervez Khattak stressed that “We need to have consensus with clarity to stop the fertilisation of terrorism with an iron hand.”

The chief minister told the meeting that his government enhanced the capacity of police, and empowered and trained it to respond to any eventuality in a professional manner. “It also established different training schools for the capacity building of police. The most remarkable achievements of his government was depoliticising the police force and totally eliminating interference in the force,” he said.Appreciating the information sharing mechanism, he said his government made headway through introduction of different laws and by sensitising the police force in the province for improved security cover in the province.

The chief minister called for manning all the frequented and unfrequented, accessible and inaccessible routes on the border as this was the main cause of terrorism. “This province suffered, the people sacrificed everything and at the end of the day, our tenacity was being doubted,” he complained. The international community did not recognise our sacrifices and sufferings, he regretted.

Pervez Khattak asked the federal government team to take up the issue of returning back Frontier Constabulary to its original role of deployment between the tribal and settled areas.