The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly on Friday passed a majority resolution seeking action under Article 6 of the Constitution against Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz over her remarks that Punjab faced greater security threats from neighbouring provinces than neighbouring countries.
The resolution, moved by Law Minister Aftab Alam Afridi after the day’s agenda was suspended, said the remarks could undermine national unity, promote hatred among provinces and weaken the federation.
It also paid tribute to those killed in the war against terrorism, saying the threat affected the entire country and required a collective response.
The debate followed Maryam Nawaz’s remarks that terrorism entered Punjab through its borders and that the province faced greater security threats from neighbouring provinces than neighbouring countries.
KP Housing Minister Amjad Ali called the comments insulting and demanded an apology from the Punjab chief minister.
He said the statement contradicted the state’s position that India was involved in terrorism in Pakistan.
Information Minister Shafi Jan accused Maryam Nawaz of giving a “clean chit” to Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and questioned whether her remarks were consistent with the military’s narrative on terrorism.
He said the statement could be used against Pakistan at the International Court of Justice.
Jan also referred to the displacement of people from KP during military operations and alleged that then-Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif had restricted their entry into Punjab.
During the session, Afridi also raised questions about the conduct of judges, the Election Commission of Pakistan and the armed forces after reading out their respective oaths.
