ISLAMABAD: Terming the situation in Afghanistan dangerous, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has expressed concern over the worsening security situation in the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and again called upon the government to take the parliament into confidence on the regional security situation.

Speaking at a news conference here on Sunday, PPP general secretary Nayyar Bokhari and information secretary Faisal Karim Kundi lashed out at the PTI government over its failed foreign policy, stating that the country did not have good relations with any of the neighbouring countries.

Mr Bokhari said the situation in the country’s “neighbourhood” was very dangerous and regretfully the rulers were not paying attention to the proxy war.

He said the nation was stuck in the torment of inflation and there was no visible policy at the national level at a time when the threats were knocking at Pakistan’s door.

Concern voiced over ‘worsening’ security in former Fata

The PPP secretary general alleged that the government was not giving importance to the parliament. He asked the government to explicitly explain its policy about Afghanistan in the parliament.

He slammed the PTI government for awarding the party ticket to “a Taliban representative” on a seat reserved for Ulema and Mashaikh in the AJK Legislative Assembly.

“What message are you giving to the people of Indian occupied Kashmir with this decision?” he asked.

Speaking at a news conference in Islamabad on Saturday, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had “condemned” the PTI’s decision to award ticket to an alleged former office-bearer of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and stated that Prime Minister Imran Khan was presenting the people of Kashmir before the world as terrorists.

Mr Bhutto-Zardari said that if the PTI’s nominee won the seat, it would affect the Kashmir cause and strengthen the Indian narrative about the ongoing freedom struggle of the people of Kashmir.

He said that India always tried to link the peaceful and democratic Kashmir struggle and movement with terrorism and by nominating a former Taliban representative, Mr Khan had sent a wrong message to the world.

Nayyar Bokhari said the PPP had asked its parliamentary party group in AJK to join hands with other opposition parties.

The PPP leaders said that due to the government’s failed economic policies, it was becoming more difficult for a common man to survive.

Faisal Karim Kundi said that money was being spent in AJK for the office of the prime minister.

“There is an ATM competition in Azad Kashmir. The person with the heaviest ATM will become the [AJK] prime minister,” he added.

Mr Kundi said the Sindh government had imposed a lockdown in the province to stop the spread of coronavirus and for the safety of the people, but the PTI was inciting the people to violate the provincial government’s decision.

In response to the federal government’s stance that economy should not be suffered during the lockdown, Mr Kundi said it was more important to save the lives of people than the economy.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd , 2021