ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday accused the PTI of threatening the country`s economic growth, saying that the party`s government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had failed to take an unequivocal stand against terrorism, and had put protests and long marches ahead of security.

The prime minister made the remarks while briefing ruling allies on the imposition of emergency and governor`s rule in KP, and echoed similar sentiments at a meeting of the PML-N parliamentary party.

He met delegations from the Muttahida Qaumi MovementPakistan (MQM-P), Pakistan Mus-lim League (PML-Q), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Istehkam-iPakistan Party (IPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Zia (PML-Z).

According to a statement issued by his office, the PM told alliesthat the PTI government`s conduct in the province had posed risks to Pakistan`s growing economy. He said it had failed to adopta clear stance against terrorism.

He added that the provincial government had neither clearly condemned terrorism nor taken effective action against terrorist groups.

He also criticised the use of long marches and sit-ins. He said these activities threatened the country`s economic progress at a time when Pakistan was working to improve its economic indicators, reduce poverty and create jobs. He regretted that political activities and protests had taken precedence over strengthening law enforcement institutions and supporting counterterrorism efforts.

The prime minister said the federal government had given KP more than Rs800 billion under National Finance Commission (NFC) arrangements to support efforts against terrorism. However, he said, the province had failed to strengthen its Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) or set up Safe City projects. He also accused the PTI of failing to deliver on public welfare during its 13 years in power in the province, and of failing to protect citizens` lives and property.

He said the federal cabinet had decided, through mutual consultation, to take constitutional measures under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution. He added that an impartial technocratic advisory council had been set up to help the governor improve law and order, strengthen the economy and eliminate terrorism.

Allies back decision The parliamentary delegation expressed support for the federal government and praised the prime minister`s leadership in what it called difficult circumstances. It said the people of KP had been deprived of adequate development in health, education and infrastructure during the PTI`s tenure. It expressed confidence that, with the Centre`s cooperation, the province would progress in line with the rest of the country.

The delegation included BAP President and Federal Minister Khalid Magsi, former Senate chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, senatorsManzoorKakar,AbdulQadirBaloch, Dinesh Kumar and Samina Mumtaz Zehri, PML-Q President and Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain, as well as representatives of the IPP and PML-Z.

An MQM-P delegation led by convener and Federal Minister for Education Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui also called on the prime minister separately and exchanged views on the country`s overall political situation.

`Now or never` At the PML-N parliamentary party meeting, the prime minister said the government had been left with no option but to impose emergency and governor rule after dialogue failed. He said the government had made sustained efforts to engage successive provincial leaderships and had offered cooperation on terrorism and development, but no agreement was reached.

`It`s now or never,` he recalled telling the federal cabinet. He said the cabinet had held detailed discussionsbefore reachingthe decision.

He said the foremost objective was to restore peace and eliminate terrorism. This would include strengthening the police and CTD, improving their capacity and establishing Safe City projects.

He added that the advisory council included experts in fields such as health, education and finance, who would help improve public services and support development. The prime minister recalled the sacrifices of security personnel and civilians. He said terrorism had been largely eliminated from the country by 2018 through sustained efforts, particularly in KP.

He expressed concern over its resurgence in the province, where police and armed forces personnel were still losing their lives and abductions and attacks had addedtotheinsecurity.

He said the people of KP had made immense sacrifices and deserved peace, security and better education, healthcare, infrastructure and other services.

He expressed hope that, with collective efforts and public support, the province would regain peace and move towards development and prosperity.