Pakistan Views

The NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti Friday said that his government was not pursuing policies of others and was against crushing militancy through the involvement of forces.”We need no dictation or policies from outside as we are independent in our decisions,” Hoti told various delegations of public representatives from different parts of the province during his weekly meeting with them here at the Frontier House on Friday.The release of Maulana Sufi Muhammad was a vindication of the policies the NWFP government was pursuing; he maintained and said that Pakhtoon society has its own values where all the disputes could only be resolved through the engagement of traditional tribal jirga.Some vested interests are involved in sabotaging the peace process of our government, but their tactics would not shake our stance over the issue, Hoti declared.”Despite all the challenges and problems, we will emerge successful with the support of the people and the efforts being launched by the provincial government for bringing back peace and normalcy to the region”, he added.He said that the next budget would be in accordance with the aspirations of the people, adding that practical measures have been initiated to get the provincial share in the net hydel profit in order to ensure sufficient resources for the well being of the masses.Hoti said that protection to the lives and properties of the people would be ensured at all costs. However, he said autonomy over the own resources of the Frontier Province was inevitable as their best utilization would help overcome the challenges.Chief Minister urged the public representatives to keep close contact with the people of their respective areas and remain active for resolving their problems.The public representatives on this occasion informed Chief Minister about the problems being faced by the people of their respective constituencies.

A 21-member cabinet of NWFP on Wednesday took oath of their offices in a ceremony held here at Governor’s House here. NWFP Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani administered the oath. The 21-member cabinet has 12 ministers from the Awami National Party (ANP) and nine from the Pakistan Peoples Party-Parliamentarians. The ministers from the ANP are: Bashir Ahmad Bilour (Local Government and Rural Development), Mohammad Ayub (Science and Technology), Wajid Ali Khan (Forest), Mian Iftikhar Hussein (Education), Syed Aqil Shah (Sports and Culture), Mian Nisar Gul (Prisons), Nimroz Khan (Haj and Religious Affairs), Zarshid Khan (Zakat, Ushr), Sardar Hussein Babak (Information), Barrister Arshad Abdullah (Law and Parliamentary Affairs) and Sitara Imran (Women Welfare).The representatives of the PPP in the cabinet are: Rahimdad Khan, Syed Zahir Ali Shah, Mohammad Hamayun Khan, Liquat Shabab, Saleem Khan, Mohammad Shuja Salim Khan, Ahmad Hussein Shah and Mehmood Zeb Khan. The PPP has not announced the portfolios of the ministers of its quota. However, they are likely to get the portfolios of the Planning and Development; Health; Irrigation and Power; Excise and Taxation; Population Welfare; Food; Industries and Revenue respectively. Both Bashir Ahmad Bilour of ANP and Rahimdad Khan of PPP would also be senior ministers in the cabinet. Beside elected public representatives of both the coalition partners, ANP, PPP and PML-Q, the oath taking ceremony was attended by provincial president of ANP Afrasiab Khan Khattak, Federal Minister for Local Government and Local Development Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour. But, interestingly, the PML-N, MPAs and senior leaderships were missing from the ceremony. The junior coalition partner has reportedly developed differences with the leadership of ANP over the proposed cabinet portfolios for the party members. Peshawar, the provincial metropolis has got the largest representation on the cabinet having four provincial ministers, besides the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, who also hails from the rural constituencies of the City District.
Mansehra is the second district whose three members got berth on the cabinet, followed by Nowshera, Swabi and Swat. The other districts included are Malakand, Karak, Dir Lower, Bunner, Bannu and Charsadda, which got one each seat in the cabinet.
NWFP, comprising 24 districts, but only 13 districts had got representation on the cabinet, while the remaining 11 districts were not given share in the government setup.These districts are Abbottabad, Haripur, D.I. Khan, Tank, Hangu, Kohat, Dir Upper, Shangla, Kohistan, Lakki and Batgram.

The 21-member cabinet of NWFP Wednesday took oath here on Wednesday. Governor Awais Ahmed Ghani administered the oath to the new ministers.Chief Minister of NWFP Ameer Haider Hoti was also present in the oath taking ceremony that was also attended by the top civil officials.The cabinet comprises of the ministers from Awami National Party (ANP) and People’s Party. Another member of the coalition Muslim League-N has decided not to join the provincial cabinet.The 21-member cabinet includes 12 ministers from ANP and 9 PPP ministers. People’s Party’s Rahimdad Khan and ANP’s Bashir Biloiur were given senior minister’s slots in the cabinet.

Ameer Haider Khan Hoti a joint candidate of ANP and PPP elected unopposed Chief Minister NWFP on Monday.As no candidate had filed the nomination papers by 1 pm today, the last time for filing of the papers, therefore, Ameer Haider Khan Hoti was elected unopposed leader of the house. His papers were declared valid for contesting the election for the slot of the Chief Minister.The House has adjourned till 09:30 am tomorrow. Talking to media, Ameer Haider Hoti thanked the all the parties and said that he would give the policy statement after taking the oath.Hoti said that provincial government would hold talks with militants whereas provincial cabinet would take oath on April 2. Muslim League-N also a part of cabinet, he added.

Karamatullah Khan Chagarmatti and Khushdil Khan Advocate on Saturday took oath as speaker and deputy speaker of the 15th NWFP Assembly which met here with Arbab Ayub Jan in the chair.Presiding officer Arbab Ayub Jan administered oath to the newly elected Speaker.The Speaker Karamutullah Khan Chagramatti administered oath to his Deputy Khushdil Khan Advocate.Coalition partners PPP and ANP had nominated Chagramatti and Khusdil for the slots of speaker and deputy speaker. Opposition parties PPP-S, PML-Q and JUI-F have not fielded candidates for contesting elections against these posts. After the oath taking ceremony and welcome addresses by the parliamentary heads of the parties and scores of legislators, the speaker prorogued the session for indefinite period.The governor has also summoned the session of the assembly on Monday (March 31) for election of the Leader of the House. Ameer Haider Khan Hoti of a joint candidate of ANP, PPPP is likely to be elected unopposed as the opposition parties have decided not to field their candidate against the coalition partners. The oath taking ceremony of the chief minister according to the program will be held on April 1 at Governor House.Chagarmatti is the third speaker after Abdul Akbar Khan and late Hidayatullah Khan Chamkani elected unopposed as custodian of the house. Parliamentary Leader of ANP Bashir Ahmed Bilour was the first to congratulate Chagarmatti over assuming the office of Speaker and thanked the opposition parties for supporting the candidate of coalition partners.Bilour said, the province was faced with tremendous problems like law and order, price hike, unemployment etc. He said that the NWFP was rich in God gifted resources and its proper utilization could ensure resolution of all the problems. He said, the new NWFP Government would take the opposition along in resolving the core issues. Development of hydel resources, he said would be given top priority. He expressed the confidence that the new house would live up to the expectation of the masses.Parliamentary leader of PML-Q Qalandar Lodhi while felicitating the new speaker over assuming the office said, the opposition parties as a matter of goodwill gestures not fielded their candidates for the election of speaker, deputy speaker and chief minister. He said the coalition partners held jirgas with the opposition parties for seeking their support and we appreciate their positive attitude.The province is facing lot of problems therefore, the opposition in order to strengthen hands of the government did not field their candidates. The new Speaker would maintain his impartial status as custodian of the house, he added.

The speaker of the newly elected NWFP assembly is likely to be elected unopposed as Pakistan Muslim League-Q and Pakistan Peoples Party-Sherpao may not field candidate their candidate.According to a power-sharing formula reached between the coalition partners, the ANP and PPP-Parliamentarians, the speaker of the NWFP Assembly would be the nominee of the later, while the former would be the candidate for the deputy speaker’s slot.The ANP will dominate the provincial cabinet with its chief minister and largest share of 12 ministers followed by the PPP with nine ministers. NWFP Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani has summoned the inaugural session of the provincial assembly on Thursday and has nominated Arbab Mohammad Ayub Jan, a senior parliamentarian, to administer the oath to the newly elected legislative assembly.To solicit support for the nominees of the coalition partners in the assembly, a two-member delegation of PPP, comprising its provincial president and hopeful for the slot of senior minister in the upcoming government, Rahimdad Khan and Karamatullah Khan, candidate for the slot of the speaker, called on provincial President of PML-Q, Engineer Amir Muqaam and provincial General Secretary and likely parliamentary leader of PPP-Sherpao, Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao.

Governor of NWFP Awais Ahmed Ghani has summoned the provincial assembly session on March 28. “The governor has signed a summary sent to him for calling the NWFP Assembly session and the law department has issued notification to convene the session on March 28, provincial secretary of law Shahid Naseem told Geo News.
The elected members would take oath in the first session of the new assembly. Arbab Ayub Jan, a new-elect member, would administer the oath to fellow members, the law secretary added.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman Thursday said his party has decided in principle to sit on the opposition benches in NWFP assembly. Addressing the journalists here, he said Pakistan People’s Party solicited me for advice over candidate for the premiership, adding, ‘However, I told them this is the internal matter of their party.’ Maulana Fazl said that his party decided in principle to sit on the opposition benches in NWFP assembly.Reacting to a question, JUI-F chief said the troubles of tribal areas may be addressed through negotiations and jirga system, adding, ‘If the government courts my help in this regard, I will extend my cooperation to every length possible.’ Maulana Fazlur Rehman said he used his vote for elections of speaker at NA floor.
Maulana Fazl said his party would side with the large parties over the issue of restoration of the deposed judges, adding his party supports the free judiciary in the country.
JUI-F chief said the matter regarding the restoration of judges is legal and constitutional in nature; however, every side will have to show flexibility in case the whole matter lands in blind alley.The negotiations with other coalition partners are in progress, he added.

The unannounced load shedding disturbed the citizens in rural areas of NWFP province and the suburban areas of Peshawar.
The people living in the most parts of the NWFP province are extremely affected because the schedule issued by Peshawar Electric Supply Company was not being acted upon.
PESCO announced to conduct load management totally five times a day with one-hour span each time in Peshawar and other parts of the province. The citizens complained that the duration of the load shedding is over five hours; they demanded PESCO to act upon its present schedule for the load shedding.The areas including Badhbeer and Hazarkhawni are worst affected by the load shedding.

The top leaders of Awami National Party (ANP) and Peoples Party have decided to form a coalition government in NWFP, ANP provincial chief Afrasiyab Khattak Saturday said.
Afrasiyab Khattak , said ANP and PPP have gained majority in the province and the top leaderships of the two parties have decided to join hands for a coalition government in the province. Khattak said the independents could have gained more importance in formation of government if ANP and PPP had not attained required majority of members in the province. “Some independent members have also contacted to ANP,” he added.