The Pakhtuns enjoyed complete right to reside in Punjab, and the allegations being levelled in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Sindh of their victimisation was only an attempt to 'spread hatred'. The Law Minister of Punjab Rana Sanaullah said expressed these views while talking to the media after a meeting between Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and a delegation from the Pakhtun community led by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Amir Muqam on Tuesday.
"The Pakhtuns living in Punjab are our brothers," Rana quoted the chief minister as having said. "They have the same right to live and conduct business in Punjab as anyone else." "Efforts will also be made to accommodate some suggestions made by Muqam which include the consideration of protection of people's dignity during search operations," Rana said.
"It is highly condemnable that some so-called political parties and leaders in Sindh and KP are scoring political points on the matter. They want to gain people's sympathies by spreading fear among them. This is enmity against the country." Amir Muqam said he along with other members of the delegation raised issues faced by the Pakhtuns, and the Chief Minister has made it clear that the Pakhtuns are our brothers and they would be facilitated by all means. He said the Pakhtuns are a patriotic nation and they have rendered a lot of sacrifices for Pakistan.
Earlier, a delegation of Pakhtuns, led by Advisor to Prime Minister Amir Muqam, met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday and informed him about their reservations. Later, Amir Muqam told the media that they had reservations regarding privacy of their people and suggested that a lady officer and local representative should be present during search operations.