Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan here on Tuesday visited Saidu Sharif Hospital to inquire after the health of those injured in the recent blast in Swat. During the visit, the minister met the injured victims, prayed for their speedy recovery, and expressed solidarity with their families. The federal minister toured various hospital wards, met injured civilians and security personnel, and assured their families that the federal government would provide every possible assistance to those affected by the incident.

Speaking to the media, Engr Amir Muqam who also holds the chair of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) Khaber Pakhtunwa (KP) President seat, said that he had come on behalf of PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to express support for the victims and personally inquire about their well-being. He said that maintaining law and order was the constitutional and administrative responsibility of the provincial government, noting that the same party had governed the province for the past 13 years.

Engr Amir Muqam stressed that the current situation demanded unity rather than political point-scoring, urging all political parties to set aside differences and adopt a joint strategy to combat terrorism. "National security and the protection of citizens require a collective and unified response," he said. Amir Muqam also recalled surviving seven assassination attempts, saying he understood the pain caused by terrorism.

He said that thousands of people had lost their lives, countless families had been displaced, and he himself had witnessed and carried the bodies of victims during years of militant violence. The minister added that terrorism could not be defeated through statements alone but required practical and coordinated action by the entire nation. The minister directed the relevant authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured, instructing officials to utilize all available resources to provide timely and quality healthcare.

Paying tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the injured security personnel, he said the nation valued the services of its brave defenders and that the government would continue to support their welfare and treatment. During the visit, the District Police Officer (DPO) and other senior police officials briefed the minister on the blast, the prevailing security situation, and the progress of the investigation.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)