KP governor asks CM Afridi to resign if he can’t protect his own ministers

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has criticized the provincial government for ignoring governance, terrorism, and public issues, urging Chief Minister Shah Mehmood Qasim to resign if he cannot safeguard his own ministers. In a statement, Kundi stated that the governor's rule would be implemented as the president and prime minister see fit.

He advised the provincial government to study the Constitution to understand the governor's responsibilities and authority. Kundi emphasized that terrorism poses the most significant challenge for the province and called for the government to focus on improving law and order, eliminating terrorism, and addressing the people's concerns instead of staging political demonstrations.

He criticized the government's performance in implementing the National Action Plan and questioned the steps taken to eradicate terrorism from the region. The governor also pointed out that terrorists were targeting innocent citizens, police, armed forces, and security personnel, stressing the need for a strong stance against terrorism.

Kundi highlighted that around 17,000 police positions remained vacant in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, urging the provincial government to fill these positions and increase police strength. He expressed concern over the insufficient resources allocated to the counter-terrorism department, noting that only Rs1.2 billion had been provided while the department required Rs42 billion.

Regarding the police force, Kundi emphasized the importance of addressing their salaries and welfare concerns, urging the government to provide adequate support for fighting terrorism effectively. He cautioned against repeating incidents similar to May 9 and warned that any such acts would be dealt with according to the law. Kundi commended the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for turning the PTI's protest march into a "circus," noting that party leaders returned home while workers remained on the streets.

He urged participants to follow the law and cooperate with relevant institutions, warning that any illegal movement of weapons and narcotics during political activities would not be tolerated. Kundi promised continued engagement with the government to resolve Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's issues with the federal government and called for negotiations to address protests by doctors, teachers, and TMA employees, providing relief to those facing rising flour prices, terrorism, and other challenges.