PM vows to bring back progress to KP, assails PTI's 'callousness' during its tenures

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pledged on Thursday that the federal government, now overseeing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) under governor’s rule, would make every effort to restore progress to the province. Speaking at a meeting of the provincial apex committee in Peshawar, Sharif addressed security concerns, emphasizing that emergency and governor’s rule were imposed "under extreme compulsion."

He assured the committee that the Centre would provide all necessary resources and that the Advisory Council, consisting of the governor, president, and Chief of Defence Forces, would ensure the province's development surpasses that of other provinces.

Sharif expressed deep regret over the return of terrorists to KP following peace, stating that their presence dishonors the sacrifices of young soldiers who fought for their country. He criticized the provincial government for prioritizing matters related to terrorists over critical issues such as education, healthcare, and police training.

The prime minister highlighted that the previous government had already allocated over Rs800 billion in funds to KP for counter-terrorism efforts, yet these resources were insufficient and the required capacity and trained officers were lacking.

Sharif regretted that the Centre had not received adequate support from the provincial government, describing the situation as a "callousness, criminal negligence, and hostility towards the national interest." He stressed that there could be no greater enmity with the country than failing to honor and respect the sacrifices made by its soldiers. The prime minister affirmed the federal government's commitment to stabilizing KP's economy and pledged to work tirelessly to restore the province's development and prosperity.