The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed two important resolutions calling for austerity measures to be adopted as a national behavior and for immediate steps to prevent alleged drone attacks in Tehsil Bara.
The House stressed the need for effective use of resources, reduction in unnecessary expenditures and protection of citizens from security threats.
The first resolution was moved by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz MPA Amina Sardar, who termed austerity a national necessity in view of the current economic conditions.
The resolution appreciated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s austerity campaign and called for expanding it beyond the government level to make it a national practice.
According to the resolution, government institutions should ensure responsible and efficient use of energy and resources, reduce unnecessary expenses and promote simplicity at the official level.
It also recommended creating awareness about austerity in educational institutions through curriculum and practical activities, while public awareness campaigns should be launched to discourage extravagance in weddings and other ceremonies.
The Assembly also recommended effective implementation of the one-dish policy, closure of marriage halls by 10 p.m. and shutting shopping malls and commercial centers by 9 p.m.
The resolution further called for reviewing unnecessary government posts and administrative burdens, especially at the district level, and limiting additional staff, including assistant commissioners, according to actual need to prevent wastage of public resources.
Meanwhile, MPA Abdul Ghani presented another resolution regarding alleged drone attacks in Tehsil Bara, stating that despite being a peaceful area, the region was facing attacks on a daily basis.
He said innocent civilians, particularly women and children, were being affected while property was also suffering damage.
He urged the House to take immediate and concrete measures to stop such attacks and ensure the protection of human lives and public safety. Both resolutions were passed unanimously by the Assembly.
Separately, Members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the worsening law and order situation, Pak-Afghan tensions, inflation, energy shortages and unequal distribution of resources, calling for immediate and effective government action.
During the session, lawmakers from both treasury and opposition benches highlighted security challenges, economic hardships and governance issues affecting the province.
Speaking on a point of order, Awami National Party lawmaker Nisar Baz said civilians were being killed and injured in incidents from Bajaur to Waziristan, while tensions along the Pak-Afghan border were causing suffering for people on both sides.
He said recent incidents in Bajaur, Khyber and Kunar had resulted in the deaths of children, women and elderly people, adding that the issue required urgent dialogue to prevent further escalation.
Nisar Baz also pointed to rising incidents of terrorism, kidnapping for ransom and target killings in the province, saying sports and recreational activities had also been disrupted due to insecurity. He urged the provincial government to take up the matter seriously with the federal authorities.
The presiding officer informed the House that a special committee had already been formed to review the law and order situation in detail.
Pakistan Peoples Party parliamentary leader Ahmad Karim Kundi said the Assembly had introduced new rules to ensure government accountability, but implementation remained weak.
He said reports of standing committees were required to be acted upon within 90 days, but the House was not being informed about progress.
He also raised concerns over the use of KP’s water resources and called for greater provincial rights and transparency.
Lawmaker Samiullah said the province was producing more gas and electricity than its own requirements, yet people were facing severe shortages.
He said large outstanding dues related to electricity were pending and people in Kohat Division were deprived of access to their own gas resources.
Ajab Gul termed inflation unbearable for the public and said political stability was essential for resolving the law and order crisis.
He stressed that decisions made without public participation could not bring lasting solutions.
Member Assembly Afshan Hussain criticized misuse of budget allocations and said the education and health sectors were facing serious decline.
She said hospitals were overcrowded, while corruption continued under the health card system.
She also termed Timergara Medical College a “ghost project” and alleged that billions of rupees had been wasted.
MPA Daud Shah said the NFC share of merged districts had been withheld, while prolonged load-shedding continued despite higher electricity production in the province. He also raised concerns over the closure of the CNG industry.
PML-N lawmaker Shah Jahan reiterated the demand for inclusion of the Gojri language in the curriculum and criticized the non-implementation of an already approved resolution on the matter.
He also expressed concern over the absence of ministers during the Assembly session.
The session witnessed detailed discussion on security, economic and administrative challenges facing the province, with members demanding urgent and practical steps to address public concerns.