Provincial assembly proceedings: KP govt was not informed about diplomats visit to Swat, says CM’s aide

PESHAWAR: A cabinet member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Monday claimed that the provincial government was not informed in advance about the diplomats’ visit to Swat where their convoy came under attack on Sunday evening.

Special Assistant to Chief Minister for Housing Dr Amjad Ali while speaking in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly blamed the terrorist act on those elements who were bent on destroying the peaceful atmosphere in Swat and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A police constable was martyred while three others were injured when a police van was targeted by explosives on the roadside while escorting a convoy of foreign dignitaries during their visit to Swat’s Malam Jabba area the previous day.

“We have the right to question why the provincial government was kept unaware about the visit of a high-level delegation to Swat,” the cabinet member said and added that some elements were once again bent upon destroying the peaceful atmosphere in Swat.

He said that the local media was not informed about the diplomats’ visit to Swat and the news of the attack on the diplomats’ convoy was first broken by a US-based media organization. Provincial Minister Fazal Hakim said the people of Swat had rendered great sacrifices for peace and now the local and foreign investors wanted to make some investment in the scenic valley but some elements could not tolerate tourism and investment in Swat.

Awami National Party MPA Arbab Usman said that the treasury benches had started long debates for the last two weeks in the provincial assembly about the interference of intelligence agencies and the role of the establishment and also passed a resolution condemning the role of the establishment in the country politics for the last two years.

“We appreciate it but why for the last two years? The establishment interference in political affairs must be condemned and opposed from day one,” he said and added that the role of Lt-Gen (Retd) Shuja Pasha prior to 2018 general elections must also be condemned.

The ANP MPA said that the present PTI-led government enjoyed a two-thirds majority in the provincial assembly but instead of making any positive legislation for the welfare and development of the masses had engaged in a tussle with the federal government.

“Can the provincial government mention any step taken for the welfare of common people in the last six months? Did the provincial government release development funds to any MPA or did the provincial government transfer power and funds to local government representatives in the province?” Arbab Usman questioned.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Agriculture Sajjad Khan said that the PTI was not against the Pak Army or other state institutions but some individuals had not only earned a bad name for the institutions but also caused instability and weakened democracy for vested interest. The session, which was chaired by deputy speaker Suriyya Bibi, was adjourned till Tuesday afternoon.