DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information and Science and Information Technology Minister Shafi Jan has criticised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for what he termed her “irresponsible and condemnable” remarks on terrorism, saying the issue was too serious and sensitive to be politicised.
In a statement issued on Saturday from his office, Mr Jan said terrorism was not the concern of any single province or region but a national issue requiring collective efforts and unity.
He alleged that “politicising” terrorism was a longstanding practice of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and accused Ms Nawaz of attempting to create hatred and mistrust among the provinces through her remarks.
Mr Jan said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had remained a frontline province in the fight against terrorism, while its police and people had made “unprecedented sacrifices” for the restoration of peace.
“Describing the provinces that have made the greatest sacrifices against terrorism as a threat reflects an extremely regrettable mindset,” he said.
The minister stressed the need for national unity in confronting terrorism, accusing Ms Nawaz of attempting to give a provincial colour to what he described as a sensitive national issue.
He also criticised Ms Nawaz in personal terms, saying that those who had never contested even a union council election were now “lecturing the nation” on a serious national matter such as terrorism.
Mr Jan urged the Punjab chief minister to acknowledge the sacrifices made by other provinces instead of engaging in what he called political point-scoring over terrorism.
He further questioned why Ms Nawaz, while pointing fingers at KP and other provinces, avoided commenting on remarks made by Indian businessman Sajjan Jindal about Pakistan.
The minister demanded that Ms Nawaz apologise to the public for what he described as her irresponsible statement.
