Why Is Maulana Fazlur Rehman Avoiding Calling TTP a Terrorist Organization? Uzma Bukhari

Lahore (Qudrat Daily): Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Uzma Bukhari has said that the focus of the provincial government’s actions under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is the welfare of the common man. The 37th meeting of the Punjab Cabinet reviewed public issues, development projects and measures for economic improvement. She paid tribute to the soldiers who embraced martyrdom in the war against terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“Soldiers who sacrifice their lives for the country’s defense and peace are heroes of the entire nation,” she said. Uzma Bukhari said it is regrettable that some political leaders even today avoid declaring the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) a terrorist organization.

Criticizing Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s stance, she said that political parties that have suffered from terrorism should adopt an unequivocal position on the issue of terrorism.

“Love for the country and national interest should be given precedence over every political affiliation,” she said. The Information Minister, raising questions over the issuance of mineral licenses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said that 422 mineral licenses were issued in the province until 2010, while reports indicate that more than 4,200 licenses were issued from 2013 to 2024. According to her, nearly one thousand licenses were issued during the tenures of former chief ministers Mahmood Khan and Ali Amin Gandapur.

She said that in some matters related to mineral resources, family interests and family limited companies were benefited. She said that strict action has been taken regarding mineral licenses on the Punjab-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border and several licenses have been canceled, and the relevant record exists. Uzma Bukhari said it is not appropriate to make claims about the crime situation in Punjab without verification of statistics.

She said attempts are made to make the province’s performance controversial on the basis of political malice against Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. According to her, incidents of robbery have decreased and there is a zero-tolerance policy of the Punjab Chief Minister regarding incidents of assault on women and children. Steps are taken for the registration of FIRs and immediate arrest of suspects in such incidents.

She urged journalists to verify facts before broadcasting news. The Information Minister, mentioning the Punjab government’s development initiatives, said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, new opportunities for investment are being created in agriculture, livestock, skills and exports. She said that under the development program from 2026 to 2030, focus is being given to the development of agriculture and livestock, in which an investment of approximately Rs 2,000 billion is expected.

According to her, more than 46 investors are interested in this program, while more than 150,000 employment opportunities are expected to be created. Uzma Bukhari said that Pakistan’s products have their own identity in global markets, however footballs, cutlery and other products have often been sold abroad under different names. She said that now focus is being given to taking Pakistani products to global markets under their true national identity, “Made in Pakistan.”

Pink salt exports will also be promoted under the Pakistani identity. She further said that steps are being taken to provide feather testing facilities in Pakistan as well. The Information Minister said that steps have also been taken for the promotion of skills during Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s tenure. Facilitation was provided through the Pakistan Skills Development Fund to provide employment opportunities to the youth, and some young people have secured jobs in major food chains in Saudi Arabia.

She said that the Punjab Chief Minister has provided more than 30,000 tractors during her two-year tenure, while the Punjab government will pay a subsidy of Rs 9.5 billion for this purpose. The Punjab Chief Minister has also launched the beautification project in Sahiwal. Steps are underway to establish a Parks and Horticulture Authority in every district, while there is also a plan to provide six clinic-on-wheels vehicles to Gilgit-Baltistan.

Provincial Minister for Transport Bilal Akbar Khan said that when the Punjab government took charge in 2024, there was a dire need for investment in the transport sector. According to him, no substantial investment was made in this sector from 2021 to 2024. Funds for transport were increased in the fiscal year 2024-25, while Rs 104 billion were spent on this sector in the fiscal year 2025-26.

Bilal Akbar Khan said that the Orange Line and Metro Bus Service were already running, however their facilities were limited. Initially, a plan was made to run electric buses in five cities, which was later decided to be expanded to all districts of Punjab. The plan to provide 1,100 electric buses across the province is an important step toward providing citizens with modern, environmentally friendly and dignified travel facilities. He said that providing quality travel facilities to the public for a fare of just Rs 20 is part of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s public-friendly vision.