PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Peshawar on Thursday to chair a meeting of the provincial apex committee to review the law and order situation and security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi are accompanying the prime minister during his visit, according to official sources.
The meeting, scheduled to take place at the Governor House, will focus on assessing the province’s security situation and discussing measures to maintain peace and improve stability, sources said.
During the visit, the prime minister is also expected to meet KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi to discuss key development initiatives planned for the province.
The visit comes amid major political and administrative changes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule on October 11.
President Asif Ali Zardari approved the measures under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, respectively, following a recommendation from the federal cabinet. The federal government cited worsening security conditions and alleged insufficient cooperation from the PTI-led provincial government in counterterrorism efforts as reasons for the decision.
Following the imposition of governor’s rule, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, along with his cabinet members and advisers, ceased to hold office, while executive authority was transferred to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi.
The federal government subsequently announced an 11-member advisory council to assist the governor in managing provincial affairs.
It also established a separate Area Development Secretariat to oversee 12 districts affected by terrorism. These include Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Upper South Waziristan, Lower South Waziristan and North Waziristan.
In addition, the federal government authorised the deployment of the Pakistan Army under Article 245 of the Constitution to support the civil administration in maintaining law and order.
