Peshawar- KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has disclosed that he facilitated the Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to meet PTI Chief Imran Khan three times secretly at a friend’s house.
Talking to media persons after inaugurating a branch of the Bank of Khyber at Jehangira, Mr Khattak criticized the federal interior minister for what he said his hypocritical style of politics. He said he is pathan and uphold my words and promises but that is Ch Nisar who started allegations against him. He said that Ch Nisar had started propagating that I had met him secretly to seek Nisar’s help in saving the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
“I met him openly in the Punjab House in front of KP House and kept PTI Chief Imran Khan in the loop about the meeting with Ch Nisar Khan.” Regarding the deadlock between the government and PTI, the Chief Minister said that Imran Khan was still ready for meaningful dialogue to resolve the differences. He said that the ongoing protest would continue till the government didn’t initiate the meaningful dialogue process and announced the judicial commission. He lauded the appointment of the new Chief Election Commissioner, but said that the commission should be restructured with resignation of its members from the provinces.
Pervez Khattak said that the provincial government was struggling to bring an end to corruption and favoritism, to improve governance in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. He said that number of branches of the Bank of Khyber would be increased across the country, with the passage of time to provide maximum facilities to people. On the occasion, Mr Khattak announced up gradation of Jenagira to Tehsil level and said a notification in this regard has been issued already. The Chief Minister also inaugurated joint police training centre (JPTC) at Hakimabad Nowshera. The JPTC is a modern training center and the first of its kind in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The facilities included barracks, helipads, a 400-meter shooting range, rappelling towers, combat sheds and mock urban and rural terrain settings. The nine-million-dollar centre funded by the US State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), will train up to 600 police officers and 200 levy forces annually in modern and advanced policing methods.
Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, Mr. Khattak appreciated the sacrifices of police department for peace and eliminating militancy in the province. He said that the government was trying its level best to make police department stronger and independent of interference. He said that his government was legislating so that no government could use police for political gains.
The Chief Minister, besides approving 385 training officers’ posts to the elite police training centre, also accepted the request of 40 per cent special allowance to the teaching staff. He also assured funds for purchase of latest equipments for second phase of the training centre. “Government will extend all kind of support to police to protect lives and properties of people and maintain peace in the society”, he assured.
Speaking on the occasion, US Assistant Secretary and head of the US State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), William R Brownfield said that the United States was proud to support efforts to improve citizen security and enhance police capacity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said, “This has all been achieved because of the remarkable partnership we share with the Pakistani government and people, including the law enforcement professionals who risk their lives each day to protect their communities.” He said his country jointly worked with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police and financed the construction of police lines in Swat, donated vehicles, radios, surveillance equipment, and life saving personal protective gear.
On the occasion, IGP Nasir Khan Durrani said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police has played a remarkable role in withstanding the onslaught of terrorism. He said our Police have been able to prevent terrorists from taking control of any part of the settled areas.