KP CM Afridi seeks law to impeach governor, rejects operations

AI Summary

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi called for legislation to impeach Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, accusing him of unconstitutional conduct over a meeting on provincial security. Afridi also rejected the federal counterterrorism approach, urged officials not to follow unlawful orders, and said his government could restore peace; Kundi, meanwhile, raised the prospect of governor’s rule or an emergency.

• KP CM tells chief secretary, police chief not to follow ‘unconstitutional’ orders • Insists Centre’s counterterrorism approach failed; claims KP can restore peace within 100 days • Joins march supporters in Bara; says future strategy to be announced in Swabi • Kundi says governor’s rule, emergency will be imposed ‘to save KP’ PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Wednesday took strong exception to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi’s meeting with the chief secretary and provincial police chief and called for legislation to provide for the governor’s impeachment for “violating the Constitution”. “A prime minister and the chief minister can be sent home through a vote of no confidence. If there is no law, the KP Assembly will legislate [for impeachment of the governor] and nobody will be allowed to derail democracy,” Mr Afridi said. In a video message shared by his office, the chief minister accused the governor of acting unconstitutionally and attempting to provoke the provincial government but said his administration would continue to abide by the law and Constitution. “We will follow the Con­s­titution and that hurts ‘them’,” Mr Afridi said while chairing a meeting of the provincial cabinet. His remarks came a day after Governor Kundi cha­i­red a meeting with Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah and KP Police Chief Zulfiqar Hameed on the province’s security situation. Mr Afridi urged the two officials not to comply with any unconstitutional or illegal order from anyone. KP Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhel told the meeting that under Article 131 of the Constitution, the governor could seek information from the chief minister, but could not do so independently. “If I do not order you to take an unconstitutional step, do not obey if someone pushes you to follow any unconstitutional order,” Mr Afridi said. The chief minister direc­ted the chief secretary to advise the provincial admi­n­i­stration against involvement in any unconstitutional activity and ordered the inspector general of police to investigate firing on PTI workers in Upper South Waziristan. Mr Afridi accused the PPP-affiliated governor of staging a “drama” by convening the security meeting and termed the move unconstitutional. He said the provincial assembly, cabinet and government were fully functional and that such a meeting was unacceptable when the provincial government enjoyed a two-thirds majority. Turning his criticism towards the PPP, Mr Afridi blamed former president Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, along with Gen Yahya Khan, for the separation of East Pakistan and accused President Asif Ali Zardari of seeking to create a similar situation. “We will not allow any conspiracy to break up Pakistan to succeed,” he said, alleging that the PPP had always prioritised personal interests over national interests. Kundi raises governor’s rule Meanwhile, Governor Kundi said later on Wednesday that an emergency or governor’s rule would “definitely” be imposed in KP if the prime minister and the president considered it necessary to “save the province” amid the security situation. Speaking to Geo News, Mr Kundi said there had been precedents for the imposition of an emergency or governor’s rule. “In Balochistan, the PPP had to end its government for law and order and impose an emergency,” he said. Asked whether such a measure would be sustainable if imposed in KP, Mr Kundi said, “The first thing [to decide] is when and whether it is imposed. We can discuss its sustainability in another programme.” Counterterrorism policy Mr Afridi also reiterated his opposition to the Centre’s counterterrorism policy and said his government would not allow further military operations in the province. He maintained that terrorism had again been “imposed on the province” and said his government had worked to strengthen the police, Counter-Terrorism Depar­tment and Special Branch since he took office on Oct 15, 2025. Mr Afridi alleged that successive federal governments had imposed military operations on KP since 2004, displacing people who had still not received full compensation. He claimed nearly Rs100bn in compensation remained outstanding and said tribal families displaced from their homes had been promised Rs400,000 per household, but many had yet to receive the full amount. He also referred to a commitment to provide Rs370m to Rs380m a month to displaced people from North Waziristan living at the Baka Khel camp, stressing that the promised payments were still not being made. Mr Afridi said KP was fighting terrorism while also dealing with the consequences of federal policies and claimed peace could be restored within 100 days if the approach advocated by provincial stakeholders was adopted. He argued that the Centre’s counterterrorism policy had failed to bring peace either in KP or Balochistan and called for a change in approach. “A shift in policy is necessary. KP can establish peace within 100 days,” he said. Later on Wednesday,