K-P rejects govt’s request for security forces | The Express Tribune

The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has refused a federal request to provide police personnel to stop Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s long march.

Chief Minister Mahmood Khan informed the federal government that the law and order situation in the province requires attention and during this time, providing security personnel to stop the long march was not feasible.

He added that at a time when Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah should himself be present in Swat to assist in controlling the security situation, the federal government is seeking help from K-P police forces.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Shaukat Ali Yousafzai also lambasted Sanaullah, questioning his capabilities as the interior minister.

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“How can an interior minister not know what to do? Are there fears of a terrorist attack in Islamabad or are some foreign forces plotting to attack the capital for which the forces are required? There is no way we can provide any police or FC personnel to the capital.”

He added that the person who “killed innocent civilians in Model Town, now wants to play the same game in Islamabad too”.

Yousafzai went on to stress that PTI’s long march will be peaceful and no force can stop the ‘millions’ from marching onto Islamabad.

Special Assistant to KP Chief Minister Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif also criticized the government’s request, saying the police force is direly needed in K-P to maintain peace in the province.

“Rana Sanaullah needs our police force to stop Pakistanis from entering Islamabad. The K-P government cannot give its police to Centre just to torture citizens,” he added.