F.P. Report
PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has made it clear “We want peace but if war is imposed on us we know how to defend our motherland”. He said that police volunteers, students, the whole nation and country are committed to defend the country. The whole society including all segments, parties and institutions were on the same page. The Indian should not be under any fallacy. Any misadventure against the motherland would trigger a matching response and the Indian would get a dose of their own medicine. We are at the highest level of preparedness and we would generate the kind of response to repulse any aggression. The entire Pashtoon belt was in the state of war for the last few decades. Our desire for peace should not be attributed be our weakness. We know the level of devastation, the war brings along and we would force a total discomfiture to the enemy. We would snatch out the eyes of the enemy if they kept on casting an evil eye on our sovereignty, he added.
He was addressing a hurriedly called emergency meeting of the provincial cabinet at the Cabinet Room of Civil Secretariat Peshawar. Provincial Ministers, Advisor and Special Assistants, Chief Secretary and Administrative Secretaries attended. The cabinet was briefed about the security and rescue related operational preparedness by different provincial departments and the law enforcing agencies.
All institutions were at high alert; the forces were ready for an eventuality at the border area. The finance department has already started implementing the Chief Minister Directive for releasing resources. All departments have prepared their plan including education and other social sectors on emergency basis.
The Chief Minister in his address to the cabinet said that the provincial government departments should stay alert and directed for the release of resources for the security and emergency nature expenditure adding that the law enforcing agencies have to have a prominent role in the internal security in such a situation therefore the relevant departments should enhance the level of coordination and liaison to foil the nefarious designs of the enemy.
Mahmood Khan expressed satisfaction over the enhanced level of preparedness adding that he was against any military escalation as this area had experienced a long war like situation and the people of this belt had offered tremendous sacrifices to win durable peace in the region adding that the government backed by the people has the capability to defeat any intrusion of the coward enemy. We are ready for any eventuality and appreciated the Pak Armed forces for defeating the inimical designs of the Indian Army. We have responded quickly that sent a steak of lightening to the enemy. He called upon the nation to close their ranks against the enemy. They should keep monitoring the activities of doubtful people in their areas adding that fire brigade, water and other social sectors including the infrastructure and the sensitive installation should be taken care of. The vulnerable segment of the society needs full attention, he added.
The Chief Minister called upon the security forces to be ready for their professional responsibilities adding that the Police, FC should work and close coordination with Armed forces. He said that the federal government and provincial government were on the same page. We have to take care of the merged areas as the enemy is out there to create problems and spread rumours.
Mahmood Khan directed the Police, Commission, Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner to hold regular meetings and keep a vigil on the situation in their respective jurisdictions adding that the provincial government has already ordered for release of resources for the security and emergency nature of expenditure and allowed 80 million relief fund to be used for the need driven spendings. The provincial government would release one billion additional for any emergency and security related spendings. He also directed for the bridge financing in merged districts of the province for which an allocation of one billion has already been made.
The Chief Minister directed for need driven expenditure. He also directed for strategic communication committee to constantly hold meetings in order to communicate to the people all dimensions of the emerging situation.
The communication strategy should have professional and experts and there should be a uniform response to tell the government side of the story through information department. We have to give message of confidence and protective measures through information department, he added.
