MANSEHRA: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Saturday opposed the bill for the establishment of the “Gandhara Corridor” to connect Pakistan with the Buddhist world.

“The Gandhara Corridor Bill tabled in the National Assembly by member Ramesh Kumar is not acceptable to us for violating the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution. This proposed law is an explicit interference in the affairs of provinces,” adviser to the chief minister on tourism and archeology Zahid Chanzeb told reporters here.

He said archeology and tourism were provincial subjects following the Eighteenth Amendment, so only the provinces could legislate about them.

“The centre cannot make laws on provincial subjects. The bill’s mover should ensure such legislation in the assembly of the Sindh province, which has huge archaeological ruins at Moen Jodaro,” he said.

CM aide insists proposed move interference in affairs of provinces

Mr Chanzeb said almost all Gandhara archaeological sites stood in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which would never allow “heists of its ancient treasures” by the centre through unconstitutional moves.

“I have taken up this bill with the chief minister, who decided to highlight it in the provincial assembly and other legal forums as an issue of provincial autonomy,” he said.

The adviser to the CM appreciated political parties for opposing the proposed law.

“We [KP] also condemn the establishment of the Gandhara Culture Authority by the caretaker government last year and demand that the centre devolves it to the provinces,” he said.

Mr Chanzeb said the ancient sites of Gandhara and other civilisations were the province’s great assets and revenue sources, so the provincial government won’t allow the federal government to deprive it of them.

He urged the centre to immediately clear the province’s dues for their utilisation for the welfare of the residents.

TIMBER SEIZED: Police seized a large quantity of timber here on Saturday after foiling a bid to smuggle it to Punjab.

SHO Aurangzeb Tanoli told reporters that over Rs3 million worth of wood taken from the local forests and being smuggled in a truck were taken into custody in the Chaterplan area.

He said police arrested the truck’s driver and cleaner and handed over the wood to the forest officer of Siren Division for action.

He said the newly-posted district police officer ordered a crackdown on outlaws, including drug pushers, and the action was under way in Chatterplan, Battal, and adjoining areas.

“We [police] have increased patrols on the Karakoram Highway,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 7th, 2024