Majority of members don’t want Achakzai as Opposition leader: Tariq Fazal

“The mineral resources of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) belong to the people and will continue to be their property,” said the Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry.

Chaudhry commented on the political environment, saying the opposition was divided over the issue of Mahmood Achakzai, stating that most opposition members did not want him to become opposition leader.

Addressing the media here on Sunday, the federal minister said the main purpose of implementing a state of emergency in the province was to eradicate terrorists and improve the law and order situation in the 12 affected districts.

He claimed that intelligence-based operations were being carried out expeditiously to wipe out terrorists and added that there would be no displacement of inhabitants from the impacted districts.

He also reiterated that administrative control of provincial government would be created in these areas.

Chaudhry rejected the linkage of the subject of emergency with mineral resources, adding that KP’s mineral riches were the property of its people. He said the issuing of mineral licenses would be investigated transparently and called on political stakeholders to support the ongoing efforts to restore peace instead of undermining counterterrorism activities.

The minister also lashed out at the KP administration and accused it of corruption.

He called on Achakzai to go before Parliament and explain his views.

He also called upon Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chairman Maulana Fazlur Rehman to express his views on terrorism.

Federal minister said that the doors for negotiations between the government and the opposition were open.

The government was ready for real engagement and would welcome sincere efforts by the opposition to have negotiations, he said.