PESHAEAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has termed the governor’s move to summon the chief secretary and inspector general of police (IGP) for a meeting unconstitutional and an attack on democracy.
Addressing a meeting of the provincial cabinet, Afridi said the provincial government, assembly and cabinet were fully functional, having been elected with a two-thirds majority. He maintained that the only constitutional way to remove a chief minister was through a vote of no confidence.
The chief minister said the provincial government would seek the Advocate General’s legal opinion on the matter and would not allow any unconstitutional move or attempt to undermine democracy.
Criticising the federal government’s security policy, Afridi said thousands of intelligence-based operations, 22 major military operations and the loss of around 80,000 lives over the past 22 years had failed to establish lasting peace.
He called for a change in the existing security policy, saying that if the policy proposed by stakeholders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was implemented, the provincial government could establish peace in the province within 100 days.
Afridi said his government was working to strengthen the police, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and Special Branch. He also said that tribal people displaced as a result of federal policies had yet to receive their full financial rights and compensation.
The chief minister demanded financial integration of the merged tribal districts, their due share under the National Finance Commission (NFC) and payment of outstanding funds owed to the province.
He said the provincial government had so far provided Rs21 billion for displaced people.
Afridi also described alleged actions against a provincial minister and party workers as attempts to provoke the government. However, he stressed that his government would remain peaceful and operate strictly within the Constitution and law.
He directed the IGP and chief secretary not to comply with any unconstitutional or illegal orders. He also ordered immediate investigations into allegations of misuse of authority by police personnel and directed that action be taken against those found responsible.