PESHAWAR
Provincial Minister for Agriculture Major (retd) Sajjad Barkwal on Monday criticized the opposition benches in the Provincial Assembly for leveling baseless allegations and politicizing national issues, particularly the recent natural disasters. He was addressing a session chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati.
He said the provincial government was fully committed to improving the livelihoods of the poor and responding effectively to the devastation caused by recent floods.
“The government is taking all necessary steps to address the losses of life and property. Politics should not be done on natural disasters,” he stressed.
The minister accused opposition parties of lacking faith in their own leadership, adding that it was inappropriate for them to question the government on law and order issues. Criticizing Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, he said it was “extremely regrettable” for a federal minister to label neighboring Afghanistan as an enemy. “Afghanistan and Pakistan are bound by religious and cultural ties. Such statements damage regional harmony,” he said.
He further stated that sitting in peace committees with PML-N and PPP representatives was “tantamount to betrayal” of the people of KP.
The Minister for Agriculture urged both the opposition and the federal government to act responsibly on matters concerning the province’s law and order.
The session ended abruptly after PML-N MPA Sobia Shahid raised objections during the speech and later pointed out the lack of quorum, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the sitting.
