Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has termed the federal government’s policy on Afghan refugees incorrect.
During a press conference in Peshawar, Ali Amin Gandapur claimed that the situation was stable during the tenure of the PTI founder. He emphasized that Afghanistan is Pakistan’s neighbor and will remain so, stating that Afghan refugees should not be expelled forcefully. He further asserted that if Afghans wish to acquire Pakistani citizenship, they should be granted it.
The Chief Minister added that previous policies regarding Afghan refugees were against human rights. He clarified that Afghan residents with no criminal record should be allowed to stay, and he has always raised his voice for those who are legally residing in Pakistan.
Speaking on security issues, Ali Amin Gandapur highlighted that law and order and terrorism are the second biggest issues of the province. He questioned why conditions deteriorated, stating that things were stable during the PTI founder’s tenure but have worsened due to the federal government’s incompetence.
He further stated that the state focused on eliminating a political party instead of governance, which led to the resurgence of terrorism. He remarked that even superpowers have faced defeat at Pakistan’s borders, yet the government has neglected security concerns.
Upon assuming office, he prioritized the security situation, recognizing that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan face distinct challenges compared to Sindh and Punjab. He praised the KP police for resisting terrorist threats despite not receiving adequate weapons over the past decade.
Ali Amin Gandapur challenged political opponents, saying he is open to a debate on governance performance. He announced that by December, all provincial institutions would become autonomous. He also mentioned that the province has significant mining reserves that will be utilized for economic growth.
Discussing financial matters, he revealed that when he took office, the province had only 15 days’ worth of salary funds, but now it has enough to cover three months of salaries. He claimed that upon taking charge, the government faced a debt of 752 billion rupees, out of which 50 billion has been repaid. The endowment fund has been increased to 30 billion rupees, with plans to expand it to 50 billion.
He asserted that revenue growth was not due to tax increases but by utilizing existing funds efficiently. He also noted the revival of a hydropower project initiated in 2014.
Regarding public welfare, Ali Amin Gandapur announced a 20 billion rupee Ramadan relief package, a twofold increase in scholarships, and an increase in dowry funds from 25,000 rupees to 200,000 rupees.
He further revealed that despite financial constraints, the KP government allocated billions of rupees for the police, enhancing their capabilities with new weapons and equipment.
In a final remark, Ali Amin Gandapur took a dig at political opponents, stating that if a PTI member meets Pervez Khattak, it signifies betrayal. He labeled the former Chief Minister as the biggest political defector.