KP's policies will come from Islamabad now, not Kabul, says Kundi

AI Summary

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi says the province’s policies will now be coordinated with Islamabad after the federal government imposed governor’s rule and emergency measures in parts of the province. He identified counterterrorism and support for police as the new administration’s first priorities, amid a deepening dispute between the federal government and the PTI over provincial security policy and alleged cross-border militancy.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said on Monday that gone were the days when there would be no coordination between the Centre and the province, adding that “our policies will now come from Islamabad” and not Kabul. “Gone are the days when there was no coordination between the Centre and the province. Gone are the days when we used to fight needlessly with another province … We will have coordination with the Centre; our policies will come from Islamabad … not Kabul, Jalalabad or Kahandar. It is clear,” Kundi said at a press conference in Peshawar a day after taking the helm in KP. Kundi assumed executive control of the province after the Centre imposed governor’s rule in KP and emergency in 12 of its districts, citing security situation and alleged non-cooperation of the now non-functional provincial government. In days preceding the Centre’s move, tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led KP government had remained high, initially just over the party’s planned march to Islamabad to demand the release of its founder, Imran Khan, and later over the Centre’s accusation that its provincial government was not cooperating on counterterrorism. Federal ministers also accused the PTI’s KP government of facilitating terrorists and not taking action against them — allegations seemingly behind Kundi’s Kabul reference as Pakistan continues to raise the issue of cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan. The KP governor’s these remarks and those about about ending the lack of coordination between the province and the Centre came as he pledged enhanced support for the province’s law enforcers, who are on the frontline in the fight against terrorism. He said the new setup in the province would “not compromise on police”, pledging enhanced support and a pay raise for its law enforcers. The governor further stated that he called a meeting on security the previous day and that of the provincial apex committee earlier today. He said the Centre had “shown confidence in us” and to meet its expectations, “our first priority is the fight against terrorism”. Kundi issued a message to the army, police, Frontier Constabulary (FC) and security institutions, saying: “Our committee, this government, is standing side by side with you and will support you fully.” He said that all members of the newly-formed advisory council had today taken charge of departments assigned to them, and would share future plans. He added that during Sunday’s high-level security meeting, it had been decided that development would be the second priority of the new setup while the first would be giving whatever resources were asked for to the police and the Crime Terrorism Department. “I want to say on behalf of this government that we are by your side,” he said addressing law enforcers, adding, “Whatever weapons you want, whatever you need, we will get them to you.” Kundi stressed, “We will not compromise on our police officers and personnel. We will equip them well.” He added that yesterday, he spoke to the inspector general of police (IGP) and chief secretary, ordering that from now on, the KP police would no longer have the lowest salaries in the country. “If they are not the highest, they will at least be equal [to those of the personnel in other areas].” The governor also said that disbursements under the martyrs’ package would be increased, and the children of martyrs would be given free education. Kundi also thanked the KP public for “rejecting the circus” that had been ongoing for a few days, referring to the PTI’s long march that began on Oct 4. “I thank KP’s public that they have rejected this 13-year nuisance,” he said, referring to the PTI’s rule in the province. The governor also said that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had provided the provincial police 10 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) on behalf of the Centre. He noted that in his earlier meeting with the minister, Naqvi had assured him and the apex committee that police and security forces would be granted as much in funds as they required. “Our priority, our focus, is peace plus development,” the governor stressed. “We will work 24/7, we will deliver hope to people, to our young people, to the business community … that this is not your fight now, it is ours.” Kundi also called on young doctors who had been striking in the province, urging them to end their strike and assuring that their issues would be solved. He also addressed university staff that were protesting over salaries and employment. Additionally, he called on the business community, saying that he would work with them to solve their issues. “When there is peace here, people will come to do business and investment … and the youth will have employment,” he added. Kundi also criticised the PTI and accused it of to “fight their case” to the Centre, adding, “We will fight our case with arguments, not with abusive language.” Responding to a question, he said that work was being don