Summary KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi urges Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to resign, criticises the long march and warns against May 9-style actions.
PESHAWAR (Dunya News) - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has advised Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to resign, criticised the ongoing long march and warned that any attempt to repeat May 9-style actions would have consequences.
Kundi said the fight against terrorism was a red line and there could be no compromise on the issue. He said the province could not be handed over to terrorists and vowed to protect the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Criticising the provincial leadership, the governor said the chief minister should step down, alleging that the province was being run by incompetent people who had not even read the Constitution.
On constitutional matters, Kundi said he would convene a session whenever required and advised those concerned to study the Constitution. He added that he could summon the chief secretary or the provincial inspector general of police whenever he wished, while the decision to impose governor’s rule rested with the federal government.
Commenting on the long march, Kundi compared it to a “Lucky Irani Circus”, claiming its participants avoided reaching Swabi. He challenged them to cross the district, describing it as a major obstacle for the march and alleging that its organisers changed direction whenever they approached it.
The governor said he knew how to protect the Governor House. He also highlighted gaps in the police system in merged tribal districts, saying seven police stations had yet to be established.
PTI focusing on politics instead of KP's key issues, says PPP leader
Kundi said the province could not function without federal support but accused the provincial government of maintaining a confrontational approach towards the Centre.
On terrorism, he criticised PTI leaders, alleging that some senior party figures were in hiding and had never condemned terrorist incidents. He said political parties were united in the fight against terrorism but accused certain individuals of making statements resembling those of anti-state elements.
Emphasising the importance of parliamentary forums, Kundi asked what platform could be greater than Parliament, saying PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had provided him with the opportunity to use that forum.
He also made a pointed remark about political opponents by asking who had been given the nickname “Taliban Khan”. Commenting on the current situation, he said he could see only darkness on the other side of the tunnel.
Kundi reiterated that there would be no compromise in the fight against terrorism and said the provincial government was responsible for protecting citizens’ lives and property and taking practical measures to restore peace.
