Pervez Khan Khattak is a Pakistani politician who is currently serving as the Defence Minister of Pakistan, in office since 20 August 2018. Previously, he served as the 16th elected Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from 31 May 2013 to 6 June 2018. He also served as the Irrigation Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and twice Minister of Industries & Labour in the past. Khattak relinquished his elected post as the Secretary General of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on 25 September 2013 to Jahangir Tareen. Khattak had reformist views on Pakistan's political system, and he prioritised accountability in his own government, increased education enrolment, instituted reforms in the police and security sector, anti-polio campaign and plans infrastructure projects such as improving the transportation network He also planned to revive the local economy by helping to rebuild tourism in the area While for the long term, he plans industrialisation of the economy and a reduction in red tape.
Early life and education
Pervez Khattak born to Hastam Khan Khattak on 1 January 1950 at village Manki Sharif in Nowshera. He belongs to the Khattak tribe of Pashtuns. Pervez Khattak received his early education at the Manki Sharif Primary School, and later at PAK AIMS in Lahore. He had also worked as political worker of Pakistan Peoples Party. Pervez Khattak married twice. He is father to three sons and two daughters. His eldest son Ishaq Khattak, after completing his education, is managing the company that his grandfather had established before the creation of Pakistan. His other two sons Ibrahim Khan Khattak and Ismail Khan Khattak are receiving education in United Kingdom.
On 13 May 2013, Chairman PTI, Imran Khan nominated Pervez as the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the top post in the province where Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is the single largest party with 45 out of 99 seats, the party gained another 10 seats through allocation which increased its total seats to 55. Khattak was elected CM with 4 votes, more than his nearest rival from JUI-F Maulana Luftur Rehman who secured 3 votes. He led a coalition government with PTI as the leading party while Jamaat-e-Islami and Awami Jamhuri Ittehad Pakistan were also a part of it.
Implementation of "Right to Information" bill in KPK.
Working on Whistleblower law to be implemented in KPK.
Relations with the federal government
Straight away after assuming office Khattak declared that he will pursue a non-confrontational approach with the Federal Government which is controlled by Nawaz Sharif, he hopes this détente will create a more stable environment for the KPK government to produce results. However confrontation became inevitable with conflict over direction of the Taliban problem and by October 2013 the provincial government became more independent and assertive from the federal government, threatening to close US Supply lines.
Security and terrorism policy
Khattak favours peace talks with the Taliban, a policy of the state. During his tenure an anti-terrorism force was set-up. Khattak's government combated drug smugglers as well, many were arrested in raids.
Judiciary
Khattak supported the judiciary of his province. The mobile court is used to dispense justice and mediate between disputes
Electricity policy
Khattak gave a 10-year hydro electric plan which will be implemented across the province. He also approved energy conservation plans. He also campaigned to prevent electricity theft in the province of KPK. Pervez Khattak Govt. announced to build 350 numbers mini-micro hydel power projects for the small villages and later seeing the success of the project increased the numbers to 1000 mini-micro hydel projects. The electricity price is as less as PKR 2–5 per unit.
Healthcare
Aside from anti-polio campaigns, the Khattak administration introduced drives to increase breast cancer awareness. The Pervez Khattak led KP government also launched,the first of its kind public sector facility in the country, a social health insurance programme for the underprivileged of the province. Through these insurance cards, the disadvantaged will be able to receive medical assistance at both private and public hospitals across the province free of cost.
Security policy
Nonetheless, he takes a hardline against drone strikes, viewing them as extending extremism and has threatened to block NATO supply lines if drone strikes continue and the Federal Government refuses to prevent them. Following 2 November Drone Strike, a day before peace talks were due to start with the Taliban, Khattak affirmed that he would indeed use his power to push for the blocking of NATO supply lines.
