Khattak seeks immediate meeting with Sharif

Published November 27, 2013
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak. — File photo
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak. — File photo

PESHAWAR, Nov 26: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has sought an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to discuss the growing concern and anger among the people of the province over the recent US drone attack in Hangu.

The chief minister said that there was already serious resentment over the ‘unbridled’ US drone attacks in Fata and the strike in Hangu had further inflamed the situation.

An almost similar letter has been sent to Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

According to officials, the chief minister asked the federal government to stop Nato trucks from entering KP to defuse the public anger to some extent.

“Kindly consider convening a meeting at the federal level with invitations to all provinces to evolve a common strategy. We must show to the world that we stand united when it comes to defending the sovereignty of Pakistan,” the letter said.

“We can also discuss at the proposed meeting if another all-party conference could be convened in view of the current situation.”

According to officials, the chief minister said that elected representatives of the people were morally obliged to stand by them and address their genuine grievances.

Mr Khattak said the provincial government was aware of the hazards posed by the emerging situation. Although law-enforcement agencies have been directed to maintain peace and order during the current protests, it shall be most unfortunate if people expressing their justified resentment were confronted by their own police force to avert the possibility of anti-Pakistan elements pursuing their agenda.

Meanwhile, workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf vowed on Tuesday to continue their protests till the US drone strikes were stopped. They held sits-in at Hayatabad and four other places in the province.

PTI’s Peshawar general secretary Zahir Younas Mohmand said at a news conference that activists of the party were determined to continue their protests.

“Nobody can stop us from our rightful protest against illegal US attacks in Fata and KP,” he said.

Tuesday’s sit-in was marred by an in-fighting that was followed by firing in the air and stampede at a camp.

Opinion

Editorial

Enrolment drive
Updated 10 May, 2024

Enrolment drive

The authorities should implement targeted interventions to bring out-of-school children, especially girls, into the educational system.
Gwadar outrage
10 May, 2024

Gwadar outrage

JUST two days after the president, while on a visit to Balochistan, discussed the need for a political dialogue to...
Save the witness
10 May, 2024

Save the witness

THE old affliction of failed enforcement has rendered another law lifeless. Enacted over a decade ago, the Sindh...
May 9 fallout
Updated 09 May, 2024

May 9 fallout

It is important that this chapter be closed satisfactorily so that the nation can move forward.
A fresh approach?
09 May, 2024

A fresh approach?

SUCCESSIVE governments have tried to address the problems of Balochistan — particularly the province’s ...
Visa fraud
09 May, 2024

Visa fraud

THE FIA has a new task at hand: cracking down on fraudulent work visas. This was prompted by the discovery of a...