Minister rejects reports of Ghazi tehsil’s merger with Punjab

Peshawar: On Sunday, Information and Public Relations Minister Shafi Jan dismissed reports and a purported notification suggesting the division of Ghazi tehsil from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its addition to Punjab. The minister labeled the reports and the notification as baseless and fabricated. He affirmed that Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi's administration had faced continuous efforts from certain factions to disseminate false news and propaganda against the provincial government.

The purported notification concerning Ghazi tehsil was merely another attempt to sow confusion and mislead the public, Jan stated in a statement issued from his office. He reassured residents that they were well aware of such propaganda and would not be swayed by fabricated documents or unverified claims. "Every time these elements launch a campaign based on lies, their falsehood ultimately backfires," Jan emphasized.

He clarified that changes to a province's geographical boundaries or constitutional status could not be effected through a simple notification. Any such alterations necessitated compliance with constitutional requirements and the prescribed constitutional process. Consequently, no fake or fabricated notification could change the constitutional or geographical status of any area within the province, Jan clarified.

Jan underscored the government's obligation to safeguard the mandate bestowed upon it by the people. "We will not allow any conspiracy against the people's mandate or the territorial integrity of the province to prevail," he declared. He announced that legal action would be taken against individuals involved in crafting, distributing, or promoting fake government notifications.

Jan vowed that those engaging in deliberate disinformation to incite unrest, confusion, and uncertainty among the public would be held accountable. He called upon citizens to remain vigilant, refrain from believing or sharing false notifications and unverified reports, and advise verifying information regarding government decisions and notifications through official, authenticated government sources.