PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday defended the imposition of governor’s rule and an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying the decision had been taken “under extreme compulsion” amid growing security concerns in the province.
The prime minister made the remarks while chairing a meeting of the provincial apex committee in Peshawar to assess the prevailing law and order situation.
PM Shehbaz arrived in the provincial capital earlier in the day, marking his first visit to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency measures on October 11.
Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, federal ministers and the newly appointed provincial advisers were also present at the meeting.
Addressing the participants, the prime minister praised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for its natural beauty and voiced his desire to accelerate development initiatives across the province.
“I hope we work hard day and night and speedily make progress towards development and prosperity,” he said.
The premier also criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf over the deteriorating security situation, accusing the party of “criminal negligence” in addressing the province’s security challenges.
He recalled that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been a “cradle of peace” six years ago, expressing concern over the subsequent deterioration in law and order.
