Tarar opens PML-N office in Peshawar, vows KP expansion

PESHAWAR: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar opened the Peshawar office of PML-N MPA Jalal Khan on Wednesday and said the party would expand its organisational work across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Speaking to party workers after the inauguration, Tarar said the new office would serve as a platform for strengthening the party organisation and maintaining regular contact with residents. He said PML-N would remain actively engaged with people and workers in the province.

According to Daily Times, Tarar questioned the performance of the PTI-led provincial governments during their nearly 14-and-a-half years in power and asked the leadership to present its record of service before the people of KP and Peshawar. He accused PTI leaders of political confrontation and alleged that some of them had avoided arrest during police actions. In contrast, he said, PML-N leaders had faced arrest and difficult political circumstances while continuing their political activities.

Tarar also criticised PTI over development projects, saying the provincial government had eventually pursued initiatives similar to those it had previously criticised. He cited the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit project, which he said the PTI government had to undertake despite its earlier criticism of the Lahore Metro bus service. He also referred to former chief minister Mahmood Khan and said PTI statements had sometimes been followed by changes in position.

He said political parties should compete through their performance and programmes rather than confrontation. PML-N governments had contributed to infrastructure, education, health and energy development in KP, he said, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was continuing the development approach of PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif. The party would focus on education, healthcare, sports facilities and infrastructure development in KP, he added.

Tarar said he would maintain contact with party leaders, including Amir Muqam, and consult them on strengthening the party organisation and promoting development in the province. He referred to recent visits to Kohat and Akora Khattak and said the PML-N was pursuing a positive political approach by staying among workers, journalists and families affected by recent incidents.

The gathering was attended by former KP governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Prime Minister's aide and PML-N leader Ikhtiar Wali Khan, Ali Khadim Hussain, MPAs Jalal Khan and Tariq Awan and other party leaders and workers.