Lawmakers warn the move could harm Palestine, question the government’s decision-making process
PESHAWAR:
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Tuesday saw rare consensus between the Treasury and Jamaiat Uelma-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) on Pakistan’s decision to join the International Peace Council, with both sides demanding immediate withdrawal from the body.
During the assembly session, JUI-F leader Maulana Lutfur Rehman said Pakistan’s admission to the board would undermine the Palestinian struggle, calling the move “harmful and unacceptable.” Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam echoed these concerns, questioning how Pakistani representatives could sit with nations responsible for the “massacre of Palestinian Muslims”, referring to the United States and Israel.
Maulana Lutfur Rehman highlighted that Pakistan’s parliament was not consulted before he joined the board and stressed that the decision was against national interest. He warned that while the United States threatens Palestine, it also chairs the Peace Council and raises questions about Pakistan’s accountability to its citizens.
The assembly also discussed wider security issues, including ongoing debates on law and order in the province. A security committee formed three months ago had held several meetings to assess operational readiness, but Law Minister Aftab Alam criticized the process, stating that strengthening institutions is the responsibility of the federal and provincial governments and the province cannot absolve itself of responsibility.
The session also focused on long-standing developmental concerns. Lawmakers raised questions about 113 schools in Abbottabad destroyed in the 2005 earthquake that remain unreconstructed after two decades. PML-N lawmaker Amna Sardar criticized the slow pace of reconstruction, while Finance Minister Nazir Ahmad Abbasi called it a “serious problem”, noting that generations of children have been educated under the open sky.
Minority representation in government departments also came under scrutiny. Minority legislator Suresh Kumar highlighted unfulfilled quotas across 25 departments, with 146 out of 226 reserved posts lying vacant. Law Minister Alam directed that the matter be referred to the relevant committee for further review.
The assembly also experienced tensions. Opposition member Jalal Khan clashed with Law Minister Alam over quorum issue during the debate on Palestine. President Anwar Khan intervened to maintain order and the session was ultimately adjourned to Friday 30 January due to quorum issues.
