2 weeks Ago
Following the federal government's decision to outlaw the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is set to land in Peshawar where he will attend a high-level meeting today to address the the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government's reservations over the ban. KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said this on Wednesday as he chaired a joint meeting of the members of the treasury and opposition benches. The chief minister told the meeting that Naqvi would attend the meeting scheduled to take place at the CM House at noon today.
Chief Minister Gandapur, while confirming the development, said: “The federal government’s decision to declare the Manzoor Pashteen-led PTM a proscribed organisation has triggered tensions in the province.” The provincial government conveyed its reservations to the Centre, and their response has been positive, said KP's chief minister, adding Naqvi would be arriving in Peshawar today to address the concerns. The meeting aims to find a consensus-based peaceful solution to the issue, he stressed, saying: "We will all sit together and work out a peaceful and mutually agreed solution.
" The coalition government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on October 6 issued a notification under Section 11B of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, banning the PTM, citing the group’s activities as a threat to peace and security. The federal government's move comes at a time when the country is already grappling with rising terrorist incidents and political instability. However, the provincial government yesterday announced to strictly implement the ban on the outfit.
In a video statement, the KP government's spokesperson Barrister Saif said the group is involved in activities against the state and the constitution, adding that therefore, it cannot be allowed to hold political gatherings or rallies in the province..
