PTI chairman assures KP govt’s working relationship with Centre

ISLAMABAD: Chairman PTI Gohar Ali Khan has said Ali Ameen Gandapur-led PTI government in KP will have a working relationship with the federal government and there is no intention of adopting a confrontational policy.

Talking to The News on Saturday, Gohar Ali Khan said being a part of the Federation and for the good of the people of Pakistan, the KP government will have a working relationship with the federal government. He said on political matters there can be differences but on government and state matters and for the benefit of the people of Pakistan, the KP government will cooperate with all concerned.

When asked about the policy of the PTI and KP government vis-a-vis SIFC (Special Investment Facilitation Council), which was created during the PDM government and includes military’s representation as well, Gohar Khan said the PTI and its government will definitely accept the council and cooperate with its when required.

For inclusive decision making and leadership oversight, the SIFC was created during the last PDM government with the support of Army Chief General Asim Munir. The SIFC was created to foster collaboration for investment facilitation. The SIFC operates as an inclusive organisation, representing federal and provincial stakeholders across all tiers, with facilitation support from the military. The structure includes three key committees: the Apex Committee, the Executive Committee, Implementation Committee and Sectoral Working Groups.

The Apex Committee of the SIFC is headed by prime minister and includes all chief ministers of the provinces, chief of army staff and others. It means Ali Ameen Gandapur, being the Chief Minister of KP, is a member of the SIFC, which meets at least once or twice a month.

After the election of prime minister and the oath of federal cabinet, the SIFC is expected to meet within a few weeks’ time. Although, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah and CM Balochistan Sarfraz Bugti (interior minister of caretaker government) have been attending the SIFC in the past, the council will be the first exposure for chief ministers of Punjab and KP – Maryam Nawaz and Ali Ameen Gandapur. Many fear Gandapur will adopt a policy of confrontation with the federal government and may cause troubles as has been happening in the last PMLN government tenure by the-then PTI KP government led by Pervez Khattak. However, as stated by Barrister Gohar, there are repeated hints coming from the PTI it would not repeat its past policy of long marches and lockdowns.