The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Friday passed a resolution by a majority condemning Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for her "biased statement" regarding the provinces. Moving the resolution, Law Minister Aftab Alam said the House condemned Maryam Nawaz, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah, and Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari for linking Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other provinces to terrorism in Punjab and for making "irresponsible statements."
"This House believes such statements are not only contrary to facts, irresponsible and driven by political interests, but also an insult to the people, police and security personnel of the province who have rendered immense sacrifices in the war against terrorism," the resolution stated. It added that politicising a national and sensitive issue like terrorism and pitting one province against another was against national unity and the federal spirit.
"Terrorism is not an issue of one province or region, but a challenge for the entire state and nation, which can only be tackled through national unity, mutual trust and a joint strategy." The resolution recommended that the federal government initiate necessary proceedings against Maryam Nawaz under Article 6 of the Constitution for high treason.
Speaking during the debate after the routine agenda was suspended, Housing Minister Dr Amjad Khan said Maryam Nawaz's statement was not against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) but against the entire province. "This is an insulting and hateful statement. It reflects her ignorance," he said, adding that the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had stated that the trail of terrorism led to India, but Maryam Nawaz had undermined that narrative. Minister for Local Government Meena Khan Afridi demanded the immediate removal of Maryam Nawaz from office and the initiation of criminal proceedings against her. Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Member of the Provincial Assembly Amina Sardar defended Maryam Nawaz, stating that the Punjab chief minister had used the word "terrorism" rather than targeting Pakhtuns.