Muqam slams KP govt for threatening teachers

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and Safron Amir Muqam on Thursday condemned the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government for pressuring protesting teachers and threatening them with dismissal or suspension for participating in any form of protest.

Addressing a news conference alongside MNA Mubarak Zeb Khan from Bajaur, he expressed disappointment over the KP government’s double standards. He criticized the PTI-led administration for claiming to champion people’s rights while pressuring the teachers and denying their rightful entitlements.

He pledged the federal government’s support to the educators and promised to continue advocating their rights. He criticized the PTI government for planning to file an FIR against the inspector general of Islamabad and others for raiding the KP House last month, following the reported presence of terrorists there.

He slammed the KP chief minister for his irresponsible behaviour, claiming that his rhetoric about occupying Islamabad and Lahore undermined his credibility.

He accused the CM of misusing provincial resources to reward employees with promotions and privileges, and forcing them to attend protests at D-Chowk, Islamabad.

He urged PTI supporters to investigate why Ali Ameen Gandapur mysteriously left D-Chowk during a protest last month, abandoning party supporters.

He also warned the CM against turning the KP House in Islamabad into a hub of terrorists as it belongs to the KP people.

He questioned Gandapur about the plans he made for people’s welfare. Over the course of the PTI’s 11-year rule, he challenged them to list their achievements including the number of universities, hospitals and people-friendly infrastructure projects such as roads they built. He said the KP government should prioritize people-friendly projects and good governance instead of protesting against the federation. Rather than undermining national development such as stabilization of the rupee value, reduced inflation and lower interest rates, they should focus on improving performance in the province.

He said Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz allocated Rs 40 billion to subsidize electricity bills for the poor, a model that KP should follow. He assured that the federal government would assist in apprehending the killers of Rehan Zeb Khan.