QUETTA (Dunya News) - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has said that the provincial government can be formed and run without Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, expressing disappointment over the latter’s recent speech and disagreeing with his stance on the imposition of governor’s rule in the province.
Talking to the media in Peshawar, Kundi said he was deeply disappointed with Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s speech delivered a day earlier, adding that he had not expected such remarks from a senior politician.
Referring to the JUI-F chief’s assertion that no government could be formed or run without him, the governor said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government could function without his involvement.
Kundi also rejected Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s position on governor’s rule, saying that although concerns had been raised about the provincial government’s failure to maintain law and order, it was incorrect to claim that the government was not making efforts to restore peace.
The governor further alleged that decisions made by the previous provincial government had been influenced by Kabul and Kandahar rather than Islamabad.
He also claimed that certain fugitive elements associated with the former rulers were operating from across the border and inciting people.
Highlighting the province’s natural resources, Kundi urged Maulana Fazlur Rehman to identify the mountains and mineral resources in Lakki Marwat, Tank and Bannu, stressing the need to utilise these resources for economic development.
He said foreign companies, Pakistani firms and the provincial government could jointly invest in mineral development projects to generate economic opportunities for the province.
Kundi emphasised that there could be no compromise on restoring peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that other issues could be discussed through political dialogue.