PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has strongly condemned stance of India about Pakistan following Pahalgam incident and termed its aggressive posture “regrettable and intolerable”.

Chairing a meeting of provincial cabinet, he said that Pakistan was fully prepared to give a strong response to any form of aggression, according to an official statement issued from Chief Minister’s Secretariat here on Thursday.

The chief minister accused Indian government of deliberately attempting to exploit the Pahalgam incident as part of a broader conspiracy against Pakistan. He termed the incident a glaring failure of Indian government.

Expressing sorrow over the loss of innocent lives in the incident, Mr Gandapur criticised Indian leaders for using the incident as a pretext to malign Pakistan in order to cover up their incompetence.

CM chairs meeting of cabinet to approve changes in charities law

He said that any hostile move by India at the pretext of that event would incur a heavy price. He said that Pakistani nation stood united in safeguarding its sovereignty and national interests, and was ready to make any sacrifice for the purpose.

He stated that India’s aggressive policies posed a threat to regional peace.

Meanwhile, in another statement issued after the cabinet meeting, provincial government spokesperson Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif said that cabinet approved draft bill for amendments in Section-12 of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Charities Act, 2019, which provided for renewing the registration of a charity after every two years of registration.

Similarly, the cabinet approved adding new set of rules Part IX-A in West Pakistan Land Revenue Rules, 1968, in pursuance of the provisions of sections 121, 122 (2), 129 (1), 148 and 182 of West Pakistan Land Revenue Act, 1967.

The new set of rules pertains to demarcation of land and eviction of unauthorised landowners.

The cabinet, according to Mr Saif, accorded approval to appointment of two members for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board. It also allowed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade (KP-BOIT) to utilise Rs25 million out of the leftover funds to cover salaries of staff and operational expenses.

The cabinet also approved Rs1 billion as grant in aid for smooth operation of Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit during the current financial year.

According to Mr Saif, the cabinet approved forwarding the joint resolution No.132 adopted by provincial assembly to federal government, which stated that “the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly categorically rejects the proposed amendments to Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), as they are contrary to the principles of a free press and freedom of expression.”

“The assembly stands in full solidarity with the journalist community and strongly condemns any action aimed at restricting or suppressing journalistic freedoms. “We, therefore, call upon the provincial government to recommend to federal government that all controversial, undemocratic and oppressive amendments to Peca law be withdrawn,” says the resolution.

The cabinet approved amendments to Rules of Business, 1985, in respect of social welfare, special education and women empowerment department, allowing the department to place gender parity report before provincial assembly on annual basis, said Mr Saif.

The meeting was attended by cabinet members, chief secretary, additional chief secretaries, senior member board of revenue, administrative secretaries and advocate general of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2025