PA panel summons corps commander | The Express Tribune

PESHAWAR:

A special committee of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Assembly has expressed dissatisfaction with briefings from the chief secretary, the inspector general of police (IGP) and the home department on law-and-order situation in the province.

The committee has decided to summon Peshawar’s Corps Commander to the next meeting.

The committee, recently formed to oversee law-and-order and operations against terrorists in the K-P, held a partly in-camera session on Monday under the chairmanship of K-P Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati. This was the committee’s second session.

According to sources privy to the meeting, IGP Zulfiqar Hameed, Chief Secretary Syed Shahab Ali Shah and officials from the home department gave briefings. Additional IGs of Elite Force and Special Branch were present, as were Opposition Leader Dr Ibadullah Khan, Maulana Lutfur Rahman and other assembly members.

During IGP Hameed’s briefing, members asked him a range of questions which he answered. The committee was also informed about modern equipment recently provided to the police by the provincial government.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, K-P Minister for Law Aftab Alam said the special committee was formed following a unanimous resolution in the assembly and a special demand from lawmakers.

There were reservations about certain operations, discussed in an in-camera session. The meeting will resolve outstanding issues and move toward finalizing the terms of reference (TORs), he said.

When asked for details, he said the meeting had been held partly in camera, so he could not disclose everything. He confirmed that members were not satisfied with the briefings from the IGP and the additional chief secretary.

He said as some questions could only be answered by the corps commander, so it was necessary to invite that officer to the next hearing. He hoped that the opposition will join them after the meeting, emphasizing that the province belongs to everyone and all want peace and security.

On legislation related to collateral damage, he said the new cabinet has only recently taken oath and will soon begin work on lawmaking guided by the TORs. He stressed the government’s aim to avoid any loss of life or property in the province.

Earlier, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information Shafi Jan told the media that the province is currently facing insecurity and that conditions are deteriorating in the merged tribal districts.

He said the security committee’s membership has been increased from 35 to 37. He said negotiations are the only solution for restoring peace, adding that an all-parties conference (APC) will be convened soon, with tribal elders invited.