PESHAWAR: Lawmakers in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Thursday voiced concern over the delicate law and order situation in the province and demanded that the anti-militancy policy be shared with them for review.

During a sitting held here with Speaker Babar Saleem Swati in the chair, the members extended unwavering support to the people of India-occupied Kashmir in their fight for freedom.

They also condemned Indian aggression against Kashmiris as well as the change in their region’s special status, calling it a violation of the UN resolutions.

The lawmakers also urged the federal government to engage with the Joint Action Committee in Azad Jammu and Kashmir to sort out issues.

They said that the policy, devised for eliminating militancy, should be shared with public representatives for review.

Condemn change in India-held Kashmir’s special status, extend support to Kashmiris

The MPAs insisted that collateral damage during operations against militants had caused resentment and turned the affected families against the state.

Housing minister Dr Amjad Ali noted that the August 2 suicide bombing in Swat was the first terrorist attack in the area in the last 11 years.

He said that the suicide bomber was a convicted criminal, who was arrested and released before he went to Afghanistan.

The minister questioned if the law-enforcement agencies in Punjab were more trained and equipped than those deployed in Balochistan and KP to deal with terrorism.

He said the KP Assembly stood with the people of India-held Kashmir but would also raise its voice for the rights of AJK residents.

Adviser to the chief minister on social welfare Liaqat Khan wondered why no terrorist activities were witnessed in Tajikistan, Iran, China and other countries bordering Afghanistan but the incidents of violence continued to rise in KP, which, too, shared a border with Afghanistan.

Ahmad Karim Kundi of the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party said political voices should not be suppressed.

“Militancy has engulfed this province, so it is time to act. If you [treasury] are not empowered, leave the government,” he said, declaring that the opposition will never accept the government’s helplessness.

Treasury MPA Fazal Hakim questioned if the Afghan border was closed, how modern arms and well-equipped terrorists were still able to cross into Pakistan.

He asked authorities how long people would continue carrying coffins.

The member said no one wished militant attacks on anyone but KP residents wondered why drone and suicide attacks didn’t take place in Punjab.

Member of the opposition Awami National Party Mohammad Nisar complained that a suicide bombing recently targeted a peace rally in Swat but the prime minister and the chief minister merely condemned it.

“Our [KP’s] major problem is the worsening law and order situation. Federal and provincial governments and the law-enforcement agencies should sit together and devise a strategy to eliminate militancy,” he said.

Treasury MPA Pakhtun Yar said the provincial government had acknowledged carrying out intelligence-based operations in Bannu.

He complained about the prolonged suspension of mobile service in three tehsils of his constituency and the closure of roads to the misery of residents.

Earlier, the house was informed that the government had planned to introduce compulsory training for mine workers, with a certificate being made compulsory for entry to a mine.

“Anyone who enters a mine will be required to possess that certificate,” said minerals development minister Mohammad Arif.

Earlier, MPA Abdul Munim Khan from Shangla resented the death of over 30 workers in a Balochistan mine incident.

He criticised the Balochistan government for inadequate arrangements to transport bodies from Balochistan to Shangla.

Member of the opposition JUI-F Maulana Lutfur Rehman said that political decisions taken by politicians were never implemented in letter and spirit, while the directions received from powers-that-be for policy moves and legislation were followed.

He emphasised that the issues in Azad Jammu and Kashmir must be resolved through dialogue.

The lawmakers also unanimously passed a joint resolution, condemning New Delhi’s August 5, 2019, move to revoke the occupied Kashmir’s special status, violation of human rights violations in the region and uncalled-for restrictions for residents.

The resolution was moved by treasury MPA Shafiullah.

The chair later put off the sitting until 2pm today (Friday).

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026