PESHAWAR:
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has called for an extension of the deadline for the repatriation of Afghan refugees and urged the federal government to empower the provincial government to engage in direct and meaningful negotiations with Afghanistan.
During Wednesday’s session, the assembly unanimously passed five resolutions, including one expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people. The resolution, presented by government member Sharafatullah, highlighted that K-P has long been a victim of terrorism, leading to significant loss of lives and property.
The resolution strongly criticized the federal government’s Afghanistan policy, stating that it has failed to effectively counter terrorism and has instead deteriorated bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
It called for a comprehensive review and immediate revision of the current policy.
In his second resolution, treasury lawmaker Sharafatullah said that the federal government has set a deadline for the repatriation of Afghan refugees. He maintained that the repatriation of refugees, who have lived in Pakistan for decades, integrated into society, and established businesses, would pose practical challenges and potentially create mistrust and negatively impact brotherly relations.
The Assembly recommended that the federal government should extend the deadline for the repatriation of Afghan refugees, allowing them to return home with dignity, organization, and voluntarily, and permitting them to take their belongings and essential items with them.
MPA Abdul Islam Afridi presented a joint resolution on Palestine, condemning the brutal bombings, killings, and human rights violations in the Gaza Strip.
MPA Hameedur Rahman presented a resolution seeking regularization of Specialist Medical Officers, Emergency Medical Officers, nurses, and paramedics recruited under the AIP scheme in 2020-21. These employees have been working diligently for four years and are awaiting regularization, the resolution maintained.
Obaidur Rehman presented a resolution regarding the poor internet services in Lower Dir, where despite paying billions of rupees to telecom companies, the network and internet services are substandard, wasting people’s time and money.
The Assembly approved all the resolutions.
On the other hand, for the first time in K-P, citizens have been given the right to appeal against the orders of the Information Commission.
To achieve this, obstacles in the Right to Information (RTI) Act have been removed through an amendment bill, which has been approved.
The Provincial Minister for Law, Aftab Alam, presented the Right to Information Amendment Bill 2025 in the Provincial Assembly.
The law will be enforced immediately. According to the law, seven sections of the RTI Act have been amended. Under Section 32A, any citizen can approach the High Court against the decisions of the Information Commission.
The civil courts will not have the authority to hear matters raised by the Information Commission. The Information Commission will have the power to formulate rules and regulations, provided they do not contradict this Act.
Government institutions will be required to provide all facilities to the Public Information Officer. Now, any institution, along with citizens, can request information under the new law.
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