PESHAWAR:
Peshawar Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa information advisor Dr Saif has stated that one side of the warring factions in Kurram has signed the agreement, while the other is expected to sign the paper on Tuesday (today).
Roads in Kurram will remain closed until both sides sign the agreement. “Federal Minister Ata Tarar’s allegations against the provincial government are baseless. He receives salaries from multiple sources and there is no truth in the allegations leveled against the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government.”
He added that Tarar should do some research instead of making unfounded claims.
While speaking to the media at Peshawar Press Club, Barrister Saif stated that the provincial government is serious about resolving the ongoing conflict between the two factions in Kurram.
“The situation in Kurram had worsened recently and after this incident, the provincial government took immediate action. The first step was to establish a ceasefire between the two sides.”
He added that the provincial government intends to find a permanent solution to the problem with the help of local elders. It was decided to create a grand Jirga consisting of elders to solve this 130-year-old problem.
One party initially requested more time, but has now signed. The second party has requested two more days and will sit in the Jirga today at 11 am.
Dr Saif further highlighted that the decisions of the Apex Committee, including collection of weapons and demolition of bunkers, will be implemented.
“Roads will not reopen until the agreement is finalized. The provincial government hopes to resolve the issue soon and has been in contact with both parties.” The CM’s advisor went on to say that discussions are ongoing and both sides agree to reach an agreement.
“The claim that Kurram is being emptied for colonization by terrorists is false. People used to take the Pakistan-Afghanistan border route when Kurram roads were closed, but now those routes are also closed, causing hardship to the locals”.
Prior to this, Dr Saif criticized Federal Minister Ata Tarar, saying his daily comments “expose his incompetence”. “The previous day he mocked Khyber Pakhtunkhwa economists when they were talking about the provincial economy. Ata Tarar copied the federal government’s white paper and put it under the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa account,” he quipped.
Dr. Saif clarified that the total debt of the province is Rs 725 billion, which is insignificant compared to the federal debt. “The total national debt has increased by Rs 27 trillion in two years under Shehbaz Sharif’s government, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s debt has also increased due to federal mismanagement.
Dr. Saif also pointed out that Ata Tarar holds two jobs simultaneously, covering up the incompetences of Shehbaz and Maryam Nawaz.
“The recent allegations of action against journalists in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa were absurd as journalists in Islamabad are not even safe. The journalist community is being persecuted by a fake government, leading many to seek refuge abroad” .
