KP Assembly Law and Order Committee expresses dissatisfaction with briefings by IGP, chief secretary
PESHAWAR:
A special committee of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly has expressed dissatisfaction with reports from the chief secretary, inspector general of police (IGP) and home department on the law and order situation in the province.
The committee has decided to summon the Peshawar corps commander to the next meeting.
The committee, recently formed to oversee law and order and anti-terrorist operations in the KP, held a partially closed session on Monday under the chairmanship of KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati. This was the second session of the committee.
According to sources aware of the meeting, IGP Zulfiqar Hameed, Chief Secretary Syed Shahab Ali Shah and Home Ministry officials gave information. Additional IGs of the Elite Force and Special Branch were present, as were opposition leader Dr Ibadullah Khan, Maulana Lutfur Rahman and other members of the assembly.
During IGP Hameed’s briefing, members asked him a series of questions which he answered. The committee was also briefed about the modern equipment recently provided to the police by the provincial government.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, KP Law Minister Aftab Alam said the special committee was formed following a unanimous resolution of the assembly and a special demand from lawmakers.
There were reservations about certain operations, discussed in a closed session. The meeting will resolve outstanding issues and move towards finalizing the terms of reference (TOR), he said.
When asked for details, he said the meeting had been held partially behind closed doors, so he could not reveal everything. He confirmed that the members were not satisfied with the information from the IGP and the additional chief secretary.
He said that since some questions could only be answered by the corps commander, it was necessary to invite that officer to the next hearing. He hopes that the opposition will join them after the meeting, highlighting that the province belongs to everyone and everyone wants peace and security.
Regarding legislation related to collateral damage, he said the new cabinet has just been sworn in and will soon begin work on drafting laws guided by the ToR. He highlighted the government’s objective to avoid any loss of life or property in the province.
Earlier, Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information Shafi Jan told the media that the province is currently facing insecurity and conditions are deteriorating in the merged tribal districts.
He said the number of members of the security committee has been increased from 35 to 37. He said negotiations are the only solution to restore peace, adding that an all-party conference (APC) would be convened soon, to which tribal elders would be invited.
