KP CM demands return of ‘stolen mandate’

F.P. Report

RAWALPINDI: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur stated his willingness to negotiate, stressing that the primary issue to address first is the ‘stolen mandate’ and Form 45.

The CM also noted that they cannot escape accountability by declaring former commissioner Rawalpindi Liaquat Chatta a crazy man. Gandapur mentioned that a policy discussion had taken place with the PTI founder, during an Apex Committee meeting, focusing on law and order and ending terrorism. The name ‘Azam Pakistan’ was mentioned in the meeting.

He clarified that the term “operation” was not mentioned before nor after and highlighted that terrorism decreased during the PTI founder’s government. He said that their government improved the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and their policy was to gain the public’s confidence before combating terrorism, and consulting provinces and parliament before making decisions. Gandapur also blamed Bilawal Bhutto for traveling globally without visiting Afghanistan.

He reiterated the eagerness to play a role in formulating a dialogue policy with Afghanistan, to end terrorism in Pakistan, and expressed willingness to go to any extent for this cause. He highlighted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as a producer of electricity, has constitutional rights that are being neglected. Despite the government’s claims of 12-hour load shedding, it extended to 16 hours, which he found inappropriate given the people’s misery.

Gandapur demanded of the federal government the payment of Rs510 billion for electricity and stressed the need to fight for constitutional rights. He claimed the recovery of Rs1 billion in a month. Lastly, he pointed out that constitutionally, the governor has no role in provincial politics, yet the governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accused him of numerous things. Gandapur expressed his patience and underlined that the grievances of his people should not be ignored.

UNHCR delegation calls on KP CM: A delegation led by the representative of United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UN`HCR) for Pakistan Ms. Philippa Cadler called on the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur here in Islamabad and discussed with him matters related to refugees living in the province. The dignitaries on this occasion, agreed to further strengthen the partnership for providing improved facilities to the refugees living in the province and to resolve their issues on sustainable basis.

The Chief Minister while talking to the delegates has said that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been hosting the Afghan brethren for several decades in the province, adding that during the repatriation process of illegal immigrants, over 3 lac refugees have returned voluntarily to their homeland. The provincial government as per traditions of the land, had extended all possible facilities to the immigrants going back to their homeland voluntarily, he said and added that the humanitarian aspect of the matter is fully taken care of; not a single complaint was received during this entire process.

He made it clear that the repatriation of undocumented immigrants to their homelands was a decision of the government of Pakistan, which would be implemented, however immigrants with the valid documents would have no issue to stay here. He also underlined the need for strengthening partnership between the provincial government and UNHCR for facilitating the immigrants living in the province in a more efficient manner and said that the provincial government was committed to extend all out support to UNHCR in this regard.