PM Shehbaz vows to continued support for KP govt until terrorism ends

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif has said that India will never forget Pakistan’s surprise and that every drop of water under the Indus Waters Treaty is the trust of the Pakistani nation.

Addressing a jirga in Peshawar, the Prime Minister said: “India is threatening Pakistan to stop the flow of water, the enemy has seen the consequences of inciting war, every drop of water is the right of the Pakistani people.”

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi attended the jirga.

The Prime Minister said that 700 billion rupees have been given to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since 2010. The Prime Minister said that funds will continue to be provided to KP until terrorism is eliminated.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that a committee will be formed on funds, they will meet and resolve the issues between KP and the Center.

The PM added that I recently visited four countries, I saw happiness on their faces, by the grace of Allah Almighty we will achieve economic victory the way we have succeeded in war. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir, saying that under his leadership, the Pakistan Armed Forces have taught a lesson to the enemy.

He added that “It is an honor for me to participate in this jirga. We are all here to listen to your concerns carefully. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a great and beautiful province of Pakistan. The people of KP are brave, proud and patriotic. They have always defended Pakistan with courage,” he added.

He added that “Whenever Pakistan needed support, the people of KP raised the national flag. Their sacrifices will be written in golden letters in history. After the tragic incident of APS, we took serious and delicate decisions,” he added.

On the NFC award, the Prime Minister said that Ali Amin said that it has been 15 years since the last NFC award, now it should be reviewed, I had directed to form a committee regarding the NFC award, the Chief Minister has told me that names have been sent for provincial representation.

Talking about the war on terrorism, he said: “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been on the frontline in the war on terrorism. Over Rs700 billion was provided to KP during different periods. During the same period, several incidents of terrorism also took place in Balochistan.” Looking ahead, Prime Minister Shehbaz promised: “I will form a committee to look into matters related to KP; we will hold a meeting immediately. We will look into the affairs of the province with the seriousness they deserve. We will move forward with consensus from all stakeholders.”

Reflecting on past conflicts with India, he said: “During the war with India, the prayers of the nation were with the armed forces of Pakistan. People prayed for the security of the country and the success of our army.”

He reiterated: “At 2:30 am, the Field Marshal informed me that India had attacked.”

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has urged the federal government to include Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the peace process with Afghanistan and stop drone strikes in the province.

Addressing a jirga in Peshawar on Tuesday, Chief Minister Gandapur congratulated the entire nation for giving a decisive response to the aggression of the cowardly enemy.

He said that the founders of PTI proved their leadership by uniting the nation against the enemy and demonstrated unity for the defense and integrity of the country despite political differences.

Ali Amin Gandapur demanded that the federal government refrain from imposing taxes on the former FATA and PATA areas and stressed the need for thoughtful investment to help the terror-hit tribal areas. He insisted that drone strikes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should stop, as they cause casualties among innocent civilians.

He demanded that the tribal areas’ share in the NFC award be transferred to the province and that the federal government pay all arrears to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Chief Minister Gandapur had called for the restoration of the jirga system to provide sustainable solutions to conflicts in the tribal areas and reiterated the importance of including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the peace process with neighboring Afghanistan.