Kundi says K-P's people will have 'first right' to province’s natural resources

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi declared on Sunday that the province's residents would enjoy the first right to its natural resources, including gas, minerals, electricity, and oil. He pledged to prioritize the interests of K-P's people during his tenure. Speaking at a ceremony in Peshawar, Kundi emphasized that the province's rich natural resources would only belong to the people as long as he held office.

He urged residents to work together for peace and prosperity, acknowledging the sacrifices made by locals against terrorism. Kundi also highlighted K-P's immense sporting talent, noting that more than half of the national cricket team's players are from the province. The governor's rule and an emergency were imposed on October 11, transferring executive authority from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led provincial government to the governor.

Kundi stated that the province's mineral resources would be extracted and sold, inviting domestic and foreign companies to invest. Opposition parties expressed concerns that the governor's rule could be used to gain control over the province's mineral wealth.