Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur said on Wednesday that innocent and unarmed civilians were martyrated in the Bajaur incident and claimed that decisions should not be imposed on the province without consultation.
An emergency meeting was held on the law and the order situation under the Presidency of the Minister of Chief. The meeting attended members of the PTI parliamentary party, the chief secretary, the police inspector, the additional chief secretary and other relevant officials.
During the meeting, the law and the order situation were reviewed in the light of the Bajaur event, and the Minister of Chief was informed by relevant authorities on recent developments.
After the meeting, CM Gandapur released a video statement stating that the provincial government stands by the decisions made during the recent all parties conference on peace and security. He said the government is preparing for the implementation of these decisions.
Gandapur called the Bajaur incident a tragic event and said military operations against terrorism cause civilian losses, which negatively affects public confidence.
“These kinds of events erode public confidence in the army, and without public confidence we cannot win the war against terrorism,” he said.
The minister said that the security staff who are martyred in the war on terror are also “our children” and are as dear as civilians in the province. He said defective policies prevent proper recognition of these victims and called for a revision of such policies.
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He said a timetable was issued to hold Jirgas in the merged districts. Jirgas at the local level will be held over the next ten days, followed by a Grand Jirga. Consultations with local oldest, elected representatives and stakeholders will help formulate a future course of action and narrative.
Gandapur said the recommendations of Jirgas would be presented to security officials for a possible review of current policy. He reiterated that the fight against terrorism must be based on public confidence.
He also expressed reservations about the use of ‘action to help civil power’ and said that an assembly session has been called from August 1 to discuss this issue, among others, and determine if it serves its intended purpose.
“Our clear message is that we stand with the people and will go to any length for them,” said the minister of chief. “This is our province, our country. Incorrect decisions should not be imposed on us without consultation.”
He assured the public that Imran Khan’s party, its workers and the provincial government stand with them. “We won’t rest until their problems are resolved,” he added.
CM Gandapur said he had instructed all Deputy Commissioners not to impose a curfew or section 144 without prior approval from the home department.
Previously, a meeting was held with chairman of the Minister of Chief of the Law and the order situation in Bajaur. Compassion and sympathy were expressed to the families of civilians and security staff who were martyrated in the incident.
The main minister announced RS10 million. In compensation for the families of each martyred civil and security officer and RS2.5 million. Each for the wounded civilians and security staff.
