Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Provincial Information Secretary Dr. Haider Ali Khan has identified restoring peace, enforcing the rule of law, eliminating corruption and resolving long-standing public issues in Swat and other districts of Malakand Division as major challenges for the current provincial setup.
Addressing a press conference at Swat Press Club, Dr. Haider Ali Khan said the PPP would continue to raise its voice for the resolution of public issues and demand practical steps to improve conditions across the region.
The press conference was attended by PPP Swat District President Saleem Khan, General Secretary Hidayatullah Khan, Akhtar Hussain, Advocate Shamsher Ali, Shehryar Amir Zeb, Dunya Zeb and other party office-bearers and workers.
Dr. Haider Ali Khan Thanks Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
Dr. Haider Ali Khan thanked PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for entrusting him with the responsibility of Provincial Information Secretary. He said he would make every effort to fulfil the role and effectively communicate the party’s position to the public.
He described the province as facing an extraordinary situation and said citizens had a fundamental right to peace, employment opportunities, development and prosperity.
Discussing the imposition of Governor’s Rule and emergency, he said the measure was constitutional but had not been adopted willingly. He claimed Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had made efforts to preserve the democratic government and avoid Governor’s Rule, but the decision became necessary after all other options were exhausted.
PPP Seeks Clear Roadmap for Provincial Demands
Dr. Haider Ali Khan said the PPP had presented certain demands to the federal government and the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He called for these demands to be addressed under the current provincial setup or for a clear implementation roadmap to be prepared.
He stressed that restoring peace must be the top priority, arguing that stability was essential for creating jobs, improving living standards and strengthening democracy.
He also called for better governance, the supremacy of law and an effective administrative system. Eliminating corruption and malpractice, he said, should be among the administration’s key priorities.
The PPP provincial information secretary further demanded accountability for alleged corruption during previous governments and for those responsible for financial losses to the national exchequer.
Calls for Tax Relief and Better Public Services in Malakand
Highlighting challenges in the health, education and employment sectors, Dr. Haider Ali Khan said Swat and other districts of Malakand Division needed greater attention.
He called for a review of the decision to impose taxes in the region, referring to the recommendations of the Sartaj Aziz Commission. He said economic recovery, restoration of peace and employment generation should take priority.
He also urged authorities to seriously consider granting Malakand Division tax exemption for an appropriate period.
Other demands included reducing electricity load-shedding hours and ensuring that government officials and the bureaucracy performed their duties in the public interest. He also called for anti-encroachment operations to be conducted strictly in accordance with the law and established regulations.
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Haider Ali Khan said the PPP had always made sacrifices for democracy and the supremacy of the Constitution and would continue its struggle for these principles.