If Sohail Afridi Cannot Do Anything, He Should Go Home: Atta Tarar
KOHAT: Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government over its response to terrorism, saying the provincial administration complains about a lack of resources while the real issue is a lack of intent.
Speaking to media in Kohat, Tarar questioned the provincial government about the use of funds allocated for law and order and development projects.
He said PTI leaders should look into their own affairs before talking about a shortage of funds, alleging that contracts had been awarded to their preferred individuals. He also questioned who had received mining contracts in the province.
Tarar said the provincial government should focus on development for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and claimed that political interests were consuming development funds. He said the PTI would have to provide an account of its 12-and-a-half years in government in the province.
Referring to KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Tarar said, “If Sohail Afridi cannot do anything, he should go home. If he cannot perform, why does he not step down?”
The federal minister also criticized the chief minister’s response to the recent incident in Kohat. He said Afridi should have visited the area, met the injured and expressed solidarity with the affected families, but instead arrived by helicopter for around 15 minutes before leaving.
Tarar alleged that the chief minister had travelled to Lahore for political point-scoring, saying he had time for political confrontation but not for the people of the province.
Regarding PTI’s proposed protest, the information minister said the government would not allow anyone to move towards Islamabad or create destruction. He alleged that PTI protests had previously involved violence, including attacks on police personnel and harassment of women.
Tarar said the government had repeatedly attempted dialogue with PTI and that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had personally called for talks on six occasions. He alleged that PTI had not responded seriously to these efforts.
He questioned what traders, farmers and other citizens had to do with the political protest, adding that serious attempts had been made to initiate negotiations with PTI.
Earlier, Tarar visited the father of a security official martyred in the Kohat blast and met injured personnel at a hospital.
Speaking to the media, he said Kohat was mourning the loss of brave personnel who had sacrificed their lives for the country. He praised the armed forces and police officers and personnel who participated in the operation and said the country would collectively work to eliminate terrorism.
