Information Minister alleges that illegal trade and mining in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are being used to fund terrorism and calls on the provincial government to take action.
The federal information minister has accused the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government of failing to take effective action against terrorism and alleged that illegal economic activities in the province are being used to fund militant groups.
In a series of remarks, the minister said KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi “looks more like a TTP commander than a chief minister,” while alleging that the provincial government and its political associates were involved in activities benefiting terrorists.
The minister alleged that illegal timber and tobacco trade was taking place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He further claimed that political figures associated with the provincial government were involved in illegal gold mining and contracts, which he alleged were being used to provide financial support to terrorists.
“This is the reason they do not want to stop the terrorists,” the minister said.
He said a provincial government that was unwilling to prevent terrorism while innocent citizens were being killed could not be tolerated.
The minister also criticised the provincial government over an alleged response to drone activity from Afghanistan, saying that “when drones came from Afghanistan, these people ran away.” He praised the security forces for confronting the militants and described their response as an example of courage.
Referring to the recent situation in Hangu, the minister said an injured person had expressed determination to continue fighting terrorism after recovering. According to the minister, the injured man said, “We are not cowards. Let us recover and we will fully fight the terrorists.”
The minister said civilians, security personnel and other members of the security forces were actively engaged in efforts to eliminate terrorism. He added that the entire nation was making sacrifices in the ongoing fight against militancy.
The minister further alleged that Sohail Afridi and his associates were working alongside terrorists, and called on the provincial government to stop facilitating militants.
He also urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to “come to its senses” and work in the interest of the country’s national integrity.
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