Federal Minister Criticizes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government’s Handling of Law and Order
Amir Muqam Points Out Governance Failures
Amir Muqam, the Federal Minister for SAFRON, Kashmir Affairs, and Gilgit-Baltistan, has strongly criticized the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s handling of the province’s law and order situation. Speaking at an all-parties conference (APC) in Peshawar, Muqam accused the Chief Minister of KP and the leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of being indifferent to the growing security concerns in the region. He claimed that instead of focusing on governance, the provincial government was diverting its resources towards protests and political agitation.
KP Leadership’s Focus on Agitation, Not Governance
Muqam emphasized that the true representatives of the province were present at the APC, suggesting that the current government, led by the PTI, was not effectively addressing the needs of the people. He highlighted the misuse of provincial resources, which he said were being allocated for political protests rather than the welfare of the citizens. In particular, he criticized the Chief Minister for neglecting critical issues, such as the worsening law and order situation in Kurram, a tribal district in KP.
The Federal Minister specifically pointed out that while the province faced security challenges, including unrest in Kurram, the Chief Minister appeared more focused on organizing marches towards the federal capital instead of addressing these urgent matters.
Call for Action from the APC
During the APC, Faisal Kareem Kundi echoed similar concerns, stressing that the restoration of law and order was a top priority. Kundi noted that achieving consensus on this matter was crucial for maintaining peace and harmony in the region. He also expressed deep concern about the tragic incidents occurring in Kurram and called for immediate action to address the escalating violence.
The Governor of KP, too, voiced criticism against the provincial government, accusing them of neglecting the security situation in the province. He suggested that the provincial leadership should have convened an APC earlier to address the concerns of all stakeholders. The Governor argued that the failure to do so demonstrated the government’s misplaced priorities.
Analysis: Governance Failures and Security Concerns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The criticisms leveled against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government highlight ongoing concerns about its effectiveness in managing security and governance. The federal minister’s comments about the Chief Minister’s focus on political agitation rather than addressing pressing security challenges suggest a disconnect between the provincial leadership’s priorities and the needs of the people.
The situation in Kurram, one of the most volatile districts in the region, points to a serious breakdown in law and order. Given the region’s historical security challenges, it is essential for the provincial government to take proactive measures, not only to maintain peace but also to build trust among the local population. The criticism that resources are being diverted towards political activities instead of governance raises questions about the provincial leadership’s commitment to public welfare.
The fact that both the Governor and other political leaders in the APC have called for better management of law and order underscores the urgency of the situation. There is a growing sense that the provincial government’s failure to act decisively on security issues may undermine its ability to maintain stability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Ultimately, the province’s leadership needs to recalibrate its focus—shifting from political maneuvers to governance and security reforms in order to address the pressing challenges of the region. Without such a shift, the risk of further unrest and insecurity in the province remains high.