Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Monday alleged that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) received its policy guidance from Kabul, adding that provincial policies would now be determined by the federal government in Islamabad.
“Tehreek-e-Insaf’s policy used to come from Kabul; ours will come from the Federation, not elsewhere,” Kundi said during a press conference in Peshawar.
He stated that the federal government had expressed confidence in the provincial administration and that its policies would be implemented accordingly. He added that restoring and maintaining peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the government’s foremost priority.
Kundi made these comments a day after the federal government announced its decision to introduce emergency measures in the province. He also confirmed that an Apex Committee meeting had taken place on Monday to review the prevailing security situation.
Police Pay and Martyrs’ Benefits Set to Increase
The governor announced plans to raise police salaries and improve compensation packages for the families of security personnel who lose their lives while performing their duties.
“There will be no compromise on the security of the police and law enforcement agencies,” he said, stressing that all operational needs of the police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) would be fulfilled.
Kundi further revealed that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had provided the police with 10 armoured personnel carriers (APCs).
He reaffirmed that the government’s main focus was to re-establish peace in the province and promote its progress and development.
PM Expected to Visit Peshawar Soon
Kundi announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was expected to visit Peshawar soon, saying he would bring the province’s concerns to the prime minister’s attention.
He further stated that the federal government was holding discussions on the closure of the Afghanistan border. He also claimed that PTI had not submitted a specific case on the issue to the federal government.
The governor added that an advisory council had been established after emergency measures were introduced in the province. According to him, the council’s members had already started working to decide the next steps.
Governor Calls on Doctors to Call Off Protest
Kundi appealed to doctors to end their protest, assuring them that their grievances would be addressed. He also stated that issues concerning universities would be dealt with as a priority.
He cautioned that strict action would be taken against anyone who attempted to take the law into their own hands.
The governor further alleged that PTI’s long march had failed to gain public backing, noting that the protest container was still standing there and no one had come forward to remove it. He added that the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) would take it away if required.
Kundi said the government would work to resolve within three months the problems that had built up over the past 13 years.
