Lawmakers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Discuss Rising Insecurity and Violence
The worsening law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, was a major topic in the provincial assembly on Tuesday. During a session led by Deputy Speaker Suriya Bibi, members from both sides expressed concerns about the increasing insecurity among the people.
Concerns Over Safety
Lawmakers highlighted that even cattle were not safe, especially in tribal districts. They mentioned that many buffalos and cows were burned alive in the Mirali area of North Waziristan during a recent clash between security forces and militants. The media was criticized for not reporting this serious incident.
Statements from Officials
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agriculture Minister Mohammad Sajjad emphasized that people were being killed without knowing why, and even the perpetrators were unaware of their actions’ purpose. He stressed that development efforts were meaningless if the public did not feel secure. He said, “If we set up 1,000 universities and build 1,000 dams, but people’s lives are threatened, then all such efforts become futile.”
Opposition member ANP Mohammad Nisar Khan from Bajaur tribal district noted that the morale of the police was decreasing due to targeted attacks. He mentioned that nighttime assaults on police checkposts had become common, leading to increased insecurity among the personnel. He emphasized that it was the provincial government’s primary responsibility to ensure the safety of the people.
Impact on Tribal Communities
Another MPA, Naik Mohammad Khan, expressed concerns about the harsh treatment of children, women, and the elderly in Waziristan by authorities. He stated that tribal communities were forced to leave their regions for military operations against militants, but when they returned, they found their homes and properties in ruins. He noted that residents were only compensated with Rs400,000 to rebuild their homes, which was insufficient.
The Deputy Speaker postponed the session until October 7 due to insufficient quorum.
Doubts Revealed
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa -: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a province in Pakistan. It’s located in the northwestern part of the country, near the border with Afghanistan.
Lawmakers -: Lawmakers are people who make or change laws. They are also called members of the assembly or parliament.
Insecurity -: Insecurity means not feeling safe. It can be because of violence, crime, or other dangers.
Provincial assembly -: A provincial assembly is a group of elected people who make decisions for a province, which is like a big state.
North Waziristan -: North Waziristan is a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It’s known for its tribal communities and has faced many security issues.
Public safety -: Public safety means making sure that people are safe from harm, like crime or accidents.
Tribal communities -: Tribal communities are groups of people who live together and share the same culture and traditions. They often live in specific areas and have their own leaders.
Morale -: Morale is how happy and confident people feel. If morale is low, people might feel sad or discouraged.
Quorum -: Quorum is the minimum number of people needed to be present to make a meeting official. If not enough people are there, the meeting can’t happen.
