PESHAWAR
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly session on Tuesday turned into a wide-ranging debate on the province’s law and order situation, with members from both the treasury and opposition benches addressing issues ranging from terrorism and governance to education, healthcare, and linguistic inclusion.
Lawmakers stressed the need for collective decision-making on security operations, better healthcare facilities, revival of education departments, and the promotion of regional languages in the curriculum.
During the session, chaired by Speaker Babir Saleem Swati, government member and former law minister Aftab Alam said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was the only party where common workers could rise through hard work, unlike other political parties bound by inheritance.
He asserted that the Constitution did not allow any institution to interfere politically, rejecting opposition claims that the government supports terrorism. “We oppose operations that create unrest in peaceful areas,” he said, adding that the government has spent the most funds on strengthening the police.
Aftab Alam emphasized that no single institution can decide on law and order issues without consulting the provincial assembly.
JUI-F MPA Arifa Bibi Kay highlighted the dire healthcare situation in Chitral, pointing out the shortage of doctors and modern medical equipment. She said that patients were often forced to travel to Peshawar for treatment and urged the government to resolve these basic health issues promptly.
PML-N MPA Shah Jahan Yousaf drew attention to the cultural and linguistic diversity of the province, calling for the inclusion of Gojri, Saraiki, and Kohistani languages in the curriculum.
“My father’s resolution on Gojri language has finally been realized today,” he said, adding that the assembly deserves appreciation for recognizing linguistic inclusivity.
JUI-F lawmaker Aiman Jalil raised concerns over the closure of several departments at Peshawar University and the lack of attention to education. She criticized the absence of a provincial cabinet and questioned why administrative staff have more power than academic leadership, saying, “A clerk is transferring professors, this must be addressed.”
PTI lawmaker Shafiullah Khan emphasized that terrorism was not a problem confined to one constituency but a challenge for the entire province. He stressed the importance of trust, reconciliation, and collective policymaking to restore peace, saying, “We are democratic people seeking democratic solutions.”
The assembly members agreed that the law and order issue requires inclusive dialogue and coordinated action among all institutions to ensure lasting peace and stability in KP.
