PESHAWAR:Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Adviser on Information and Public Relations Samar Bilour has said the deteriorating law and order situation in the province necessitated measures to address security challenges, adding that the government would focus on practical work and facts rather than propaganda.
Addressing a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, she said the country’s security and territorial integrity would remain a priority and no compromise would be made on national defence.
She acknowledged the sacrifices of journalists and stressed the need to highlight the challenges faced by security forces and police personnel, as well as their services and sacrifices.
Samar Bilour accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of turning its long march towards confrontation and using political narratives for its own objectives. She also alleged that some PTI social media pages were being operated from abroad.
She said the government would present facts and demonstrate its performance instead of relying on misinformation and propaganda.
She added that decisions should take into account the circumstances, traditions and sensitivities of the Pashtun community.
The adviser announced that she would hold weekly media briefings to share details of government initiatives and her performance.
Referring to police welfare and security measures, she said an Apex Committee meeting was held on the first day of Governor’s Rule.
She added that the federal government had provided 10 armoured personnel carrier (APC) vehicles to the KP Police, while more than 55 plots had been allotted to families of police martyrs.
She said the government had substantially increased police salaries and compensation packages for martyrs’ families, aiming to bring constables’ salaries on a par with those in other provinces.
She said steps were also being taken to improve security and sanitation in Peshawar. On the governor’s directives, a major anti-encroachment operation had been launched, while measures were underway to improve the functioning of the Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP).
Samar claimed that police had seized 960 kilogrammes of narcotics during the current year.
She said the government would continue efforts to improve law and order and eliminate terrorism across the province.
Samar Bilour said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would visit Peshawar, where important announcements were expected.
She added that the government was considering establishing hospitals in KP along the lines of those built in Punjab.
Highlighting the shortage of educational facilities in merged districts, she said girls from underdeveloped areas, including Miranshah, had contacted her to draw attention to the lack of schools and educational facilities.
She said the government would work to improve access to education in underserved areas while continuing efforts to combat terrorism.
The adviser reiterated that the government would take practical steps to restore peace, strengthen police capacity, improve basic services and address public grievances.