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Express Tribune
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Assembly debate on security turns ugly
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly session convened on Monday to discuss the province's deteriorating law and order situation quickly descended into a heated exchange of accusations between the treasury and opposition benches, derailing any possibility of consensus on forming a parliamentary committee for peace. Lawmakers from both sides traded allegations, accusing one another of being "products of the establishment" and dredging up decades-old political history. Calls for constructive debate were repeatedly overshadowed by personal attacks and partisan jibes. During the discussion, Pakistan Peoples Party parliamentary leader Ahmad Karim Kundi criticised the government's handling of security, saying 'crocodile tears' would not resolve the crisis. He referenced statements by caretaker federal interior minister Mohsin Naqvi, who had accused the K-P chief minister of paying extortion money. "If the chief minister himself admits paying extortion, what can an ordinary citizen expect?" Kundi asked, demanding a parliamentary peace committee headed by the opposition leader. Kundi alleged that billions allocated under the NFC Award for counterterrorism had not been properly utilised, and accused the provincial leadership of privately courting the establishment while publicly claiming defiance. He further said those who once staged a 126-day sit-in on the orders of a military general were now criticising security institutions. Provincial Minister Dr Amjad Khan hit back, dismissing Naqvi as "unelected" and unqualified to comment on the chief minister. He questioned why the PPP government had failed to arrest Benazir Bhutto's killers and accused past governments of introducing terrorism to the region through drone strikes and militant patronage. PTI lawmaker Major (retd) Sajjad Khan said opposition parties had "nothing but lies and criticism," claiming PTI was the only party with representation nationwide. He accused federal coalition partners of supporting military operations in K-P, while fleeing from the provincial government's proposed All Parties Conference because they could not endorse PTI's stance. In a fiery speech, he also targeted K-P Governor, accusing him of spending his life "loitering in Islamabad's streets" and failing to perform gubernatorial duties. Speaker Babar Saleem Swati refused to expunge un-parliamentary remarks, saying live broadcasts should hold members accountable for their words. Earlier, MPA Dawood Shah Afridi lamented the province's worsening security since the PTI government's ouster, claiming the region had become peaceful under Imran Khan's tenure when drone strikes ceased. He alleged K-P and Balochistan faced oppression because of their mineral resources and power generation capacity. Lawmakers Yamin Khan and Malik Adeel opposed any new military operation in K-P, warning that pitting the army against the people would not bring peace. They linked unchecked corruption with the rise in terrorism and accused the opposition of seeking privileges rather than genuine reform.
Express Tribune
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Swat tragedy sparks opposition outrage
A rescue worker rows a raft while searching for survivors, after tourists, who were on a picnic, were swept away by overflowing floodwaters in the Swat River, in Swat Valley in Pakistan June 27, 2025. Photo: Reuters A call attention notice has been submitted in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly regarding the recent Swat tragedy. The notice was submitted by Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) MPA, Ahmad Karim Kundi, who has demanded that the provincial assembly convene a session within 24 hours to determine those responsible for the incident. The notice highlights the tragic incident in Swat where 16 people, including women and children, drowned in a flash flood in the Swat River. Terming it a heartbreaking and shocking event, Kundi said it exposes the severe negligence of the current government and the failure of relevant institutions. "This was not a natural disaster," the notice stated, "but a direct result of the criminal negligence of the provincial chief executive and the irresponsible conduct of concerned authorities. The provincial government has completely failed to protect the lives and property of citizens." The PPP lawmaker urged immediate convening of the assembly session to identify those responsible and take strict action, as well as to formulate a comprehensive plan to prevent such tragedies in the future. Meanwhile, following the tragic incident in which 14 tourists drowned in the Swat River, suspended government officials have begun shifting responsibility onto one another. Under the supervision of the Chief Minister, the provincial inspection team summoned the suspended officers - including the Deputy Commissioner of Swat - to record their statements as part of the ongoing investigation. On Monday, six suspended officers appeared before the inspection committee and had their statements formally recorded. These included the Deputy Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioner, two Assistant Commissioners, the District Rescue Officer, and the Tehsil Municipal Officer (TMO). The head of the inspection team, Khayam Hassan, questioned the officers regarding the delay in dispatching rescue teams. The suspended District Rescue Officer presented detailed evidence to the committee, including call records, and stated that rescue personnel reached the site within 19 minutes of the first distress call. Sources revealed that the Deputy Commissioner and the two Assistant Commissioners also provided detailed accounts of their response based on the information they had received. The TMO, however, was reprimanded for negligence. The inspection team also recorded statements from eyewitnesses present at the scene and reviewed video evidence circulating on social media. According to officials, the inspection team will submit a comprehensive report to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government within seven days.
Express Tribune
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PPPP protests Rs50m grant to Lahore Bar
The Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) has strongly protested the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister's decision to allocate a grant of Rs50 million to the Lahore High Court Bar Association. In response, the party has submitted a formal 'Call Attention Notice' in the K-P provincial assembly. The notice was submitted to the Assembly Secretariat by PPPP Parliamentary Leader, Ahmad Karim Kundi. It states that the provincial government, in its upcoming cabinet meeting, has placed the proposed grant for the Lahore High Court Bar Association as the last item on the agenda. The notice raises serious concerns, questioning the government's priorities in light of the current challenges faced by K-P. The province is grappling with deteriorating law and order conditions as well as a worsening economic crisis. Under such circumstances, the notice argues, it is unjustifiable for the provincial leadership to approve such a large sum from K-P's resources for an institution based in another province. "The Chief Executive of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has no justification for allocating provincial funds to political bodies or institutions outside the province," Kundi stated. The PPPP has demanded a clear explanation from the provincial government regarding its stance and the rationale behind this financial decision. On the other hand, Senator Wali Khan condemned the move, accusing the K-P government of misusing taxpayers' money by distributing it among 'political friends of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).'
Express Tribune
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Assembly condemns India's warmongering
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution strongly condemning India's hostile behavior following the Pahalgam incident and its threats regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. The resolution, moved by PPP parliamentary leader Ahmad Karim Kundi, reaffirmed the Assembly's full support for Pakistan's government and armed forces in safeguarding the country's national interests. It condemned India's aggressive actions, including threats to abrogate Indus Waters Treaty and acts of aggression against Pakistan. The Assembly reiterated its full support for the government's efforts to protect Pakistan's national interests and endorsed every necessary step taken in this regard. It also called upon the international community to take immediate notice of India's violations of international obligations and to play its role in maintaining peace and stability in the region. The Assembly further expressed solidarity with the people and armed forces of Pakistan, vowing to stand with them in defending the motherland. Earlier, speaking on the issue, Ahmad Karim Kundi said that the whole world knows that Pakistan is a country affected by terrorism. Pakistan has lost billions of dollars and thousands of lives in the war against terrorism. India is trying to frame Pakistan over the Pahalgam incident. He condemned the incident and India's intentions behind it, expressing confidence in the country's defense institutions. He said that the house stands with state institutions in condemning the incident and will pass a resolution in this regard. Treasury member Shafeeullah said that 80,000 Pakistanis have been martyred in the war against terrorism, and terrorist incidents occur daily in the country. He alleged that India is directly involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan. The Assembly also unanimously passed resolutions demanding a government residence for deputy speaker provincial assembly and unconditional release of Ali Wazir. A resolution was moved by ANP member Nisar Baz, expressing concern over the repeated arrests and cases against former Member of the National Assembly Ali Wazir. The resolution stated that Ali Wazir is currently seriously ill and being denied medical treatment. He is being transferred from one jail to another, affecting his physical and mental health, which is a clear violation of human rights. It demanded unconditional release of Ali Wazeer and withdrawal of fake cases against him. The resolution regarding deputy speaker's residence was moved by MPA Abdul Kabir Khan, stating that in a democratic country, elected representatives are provided with official residences. However, provincial deputy Speaker does not have an official residence, and the current deputy speaker has to search for a government residence.
Express Tribune
16-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt whips thousands with dismissals
PESHAWAR: Nearly every incumbent government verbalizes the clichéd promise of ending unemployment in an attempt to gain attention and stay in the public eye. However, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has come up with an unprecedented way of making news by dismissing thousands of recruited employees instead of creating more jobs. For the first time in the history of the province, government employees have been dismissed through an assembly-passed law. The K-P government has recently passed the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Employees Removal from Service Act 2025 in the provincial assembly. Following approval from the provincial cabinet, the government officially terminated the employment of 9,762 individuals recruited during the caretaker government's tenure. However, employees reinstated by the Public Service Commission and courts have been granted exemption from this decision. According to documents obtained by The Express Tribune, the majority of the terminated employees belong to the police department, where 4,019 appointments were made during the caretaker government. Other affected departments include Elementary and Secondary Education, from where 2,323 employees were dismissed, Higher Education, where 702 employees were dismissed, Health, with 693 dismissals, Local Government with 192 dismissals, and the Jail Department with 159 dismissals. Similarly, 120 employees, were dismissed from Communication & Works, 188 were dismissed from Irrigation, 175 dismissed from Agriculture, 137 dismissed from Public Health, and 112 dismissed from Social Welfare. The move has sparked widespread political controversy. Sharing his discontent, Pakistan People's Party (PPP's) parliamentary leader Ahmad Karim Kundi criticized the decision, stating that it would worsen unemployment in an already struggling province. "Instead of creating jobs, the government is taking them away. This is a cruel and unfortunate decision. Rather than firing employees, action should be taken against the bureaucrats and secretaries who have authorized these hiring's. The provincial government is targeting low-income workers while sparing influential figures. Since it cannot act against powerful individuals, it is quick to dismiss poor workers," claimed Kundi. Kundi further highlighted the worsening law-and-order, terrorism, and migration crisis in K-P, with residents relocating to Islamabad and other cities for security and economic stability. "While 10,000 employees have been removed, the government might soon hire new workers based on political affiliations, favouring its supporters rather than ensuring merit-based employment," he speculated. Expanding on the problem, Former Chairman of International Relations at the University of Peshawar, Professor Ejaz Khan, echoed similar concerns about rising unemployment. "K-P is the only province where jobs are being taken away instead of being created. Unemployment is already at a critical level, and economic hardships are pushing people towards suicide. Therefore, this decision could further escalate poverty, crime, and social unrest," warned Khan, who urged the government to reconsider its policy and focus on public welfare instead. Defending the move, K-P's Minister for Law and Human Rights, Aftab Alam, stated that the caretaker government had no legal authority to make new appointments. "Caretaker governments cannot hire employees or pass laws. The former administration falsely claimed that they had obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Election Commission, which is not legally possible. We are committed to merit-based policies and will not tolerate any illegal recruitment practices. Ensuring transparency and upholding merit is our top priority," assured Alam.
