Those challenging govt writ to be dealt with iron hand: Shaukat Yousafzai

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister, Shaukat Yousafzai Wednesday said those who were challenging writ of the government would be dealt with iron hand and slammed PTM leaders for instigating a mob against the forces that led to ugly incident of clash between security forces and the people.

Addressing a press conference here at Cabinet Room Civil Secretariat Peshawar, the minister said it was unfortunate that two members of national assembly, Moshin Dawar and Ali Wazir were armed and led the mob towards the security check post, Khar Qamar in Mir Ali Tehsil of North Waziristan and tried to get release of their detained party man.

Flanked by Provincial Minister for Agriculture Mohibullah, Shaukat Yousafzai said the arrested PTM leaders had link with certain anti-state elements because the information gathered by intelligence agencies were very dangerous and have direct bearing on integrity of the country. Their actions indicate that they were being fed by their foreign masters, he said.

To substantiate his views point, Shaukat said their demands of asking army to vacate FATA could not be accepted as it would tantamount to re-grouping of banned terrorists outfits in merged districts.

The information minister said it was wrong to make people as human shields for attainment of their designs asking the security forces to leave tribal districts. Peace has been restored in tribal district after huge sacrifices by the armed forces during the last one decade therefore making such demand at this critical juncture would amount to rolling back of all success achieved by armed forces of the country.

It’s time to pacify the situation on ground in tribal districts by carrying out rehabilitation and reconstruction process in merged areas and not to create problems for the administration and law enforces by creating hurdle in way of smooth uplift of erstwhile FATA, Shaukat added.

He maintained that federal government had chalked out a comprehensive and viable ten years development for merged areas by earmarking massive allocations amounting to Rs. 100 billion on annual basis.

The government was in the process of carving out development strategy in FATA for which peace was a prerequisite. Therefore the government would not compromise on peace and harmony of the region.

About Bilawal-Maryam nexus, the minister said one is worried about the corruption committed by his father whereas the other was trying to get her father released from jail over corrupt practices.

He advised Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to concentrate on the development and ameliorating lot of people in Sindh province instead of becoming worried over the issues faced by people of Khyber Pakhtunkwa.

He accused both the leaders of exploiting Pakhtuns for their political gains and added that Pakhtuns were suffering in KP, FATA and Baluchistan due to terrorism while they are making politics over it.

To a question, he explained, MNA Ali Wazir who is arrested for inciting a mob is being treated under the law of land and denied the notion being made viral on social media about injustices meted out to the detained MNA.

When asked about arrest of a Journalist, Shaukat Yousafzai said the Khyber TV journalist, Gohar Wazir who was apprehended by security forces from district Bannu along with PTM leadership and workers was released today (Wednesday).

Journalist Gohar Wazir was arrested after he was found raising anti state and anti-security forces slogans during an agitation by PTM leadership, he added.

He said the journalist claimed to have been arrested for interviewing PTM leadership but in reality he was engaged in agitation. Shaukat said that Gohar Wazir was released after verification.