MALAKAND:Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON and President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Engineer Ameer Muqam, here on Sunday said that PTI’s rule was marked by rampant corruption and poor governance and claimed to make PTI accountable for its 13 years of corrupt practices in the province.
“Peace, development and resources will now be delivered to the people at their doorsteps,” he said while addressing a public gathering in Batkhela, Malakand district, on Sunday.
The PML-N organised a large public gathering in Batkhela under the banner of “Youm-e-Nijat” to celebrate the end of PTI’s 13-year incompetent, poor rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Thousands of party workers and local residents attended the gathering led by Federal Minister Ameer Muqam amid pro-Pakistan and PMLN slogans.
Addressing the large participants, Muqam claimed that PTI’s tenure had been characterised by corruption and that the party that deceived people in the name of change would be held accountable for its 13 years of poor governance and corruption in the province.
He said PTI’s departure would usher in an era of peace, development and prosperity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that public resources and development opportunities would now be directed towards the welfare of the people.
The federal minister alleged that if PTI had not facilitated terrorists, there would have been no need to impose Governor’s Rule and an emergency in the province. He said the people had not stood by PTI because the party had failed to protect them from terrorism.
He pledged that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be provided with peace, security, development and prosperity.
Referring to the sacrifices of security personnel, Engr Amir Muqam said it was unacceptable that the Army, police and other security agencies were laying down their lives in the fight against terrorism while the PTI government was allegedly speaking in favour of terrorists.
He claimed that those who paid extortion money to terrorists could never protect the public from militant violence.
“During the past 13 years, only PTI leaders became wealthy, while the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, despite their courage and resilience, became poorer,” he remarked.
Questioning PTI’s poor performance, he said a party that could neither properly construct nor efficiently operate a single Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system or a hospital could hardly be expected to run an entire province effectively.
Amir Muqam further criticised political opponents, saying that a religious party leader, who once used to describe PTI founder as an agent of Zionists, was now speaking his language.
He said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were no longer interested in hollow slogans and social media negative propaganda but wanted peace, development and practical measures to address their problems.
He maintained that despite remaining in power for 13 years, PTI had failed to resolve the basic problems of the people or put the province on the path of sustainable development.
Paying glowing tribute to the armed forces of Pakistan, Muqam said the Pakistan Army was not only safeguarding the country’s borders but also standing shoulder to shoulder with the nation in every difficult situation.
Whether facing earthquakes, floods or the war against terrorism, he said, soldiers in uniform had always rendered great services for the protection and welfare of the people, making supreme sacrifices whenever required.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan had achieved significant successes on the defence, diplomatic and economic fronts.
He claimed that under their leadership, Pakistan’s armed forces had defeated an enemy 20 times larger than themselves.
“The nation stood with its armed forces yesterday, stands with them today and will continue to remain united with them in the future for the defence, security and stability of the motherland,” he added.
Engr Amir Muqam said he had always stood by the people and would continue to support them, assuring that he would keep raising their voice at every relevant forum.
Highlighting the sacrifices of the people of Malakand, he said local residents had endured immense hardships and made great sacrifices to restore the national flag in the region. Many had been displaced internally and faced severe difficulties during the challenging period, he added.
He assured the gathering that issues relating to hospitals, roads, gas supply and other essential facilities would be addressed. Regarding the imposition of taxes, he said he had raised the matter at every relevant forum.
“I consider myself the voice of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and hold myself accountable to them,” he said.
The federal minister also appreciated the enthusiasm and affection shown by the participants, saying that their love and confidence would always remain memorable.
Provincial Assembly Member Tariq Awan, PML-N KP Senior Vice President Isal Khan, Malakand district president Sajjad Ahmed Khan, General Secretary Gul Zaman Khan, Batkhela tehsil president Javed Aleef Khan, City President Advocate Ali Muhammad Khan, Malakand Youth Coordinator Arshad Ali and Wakeel Ahmed Khan were also present on the occasion.