Kundi, Naqvi Slam K-P Govt Over Counterterrorism Role During Talks
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi have slammed the provincial government’s role in the counterterrorism talks, saying its attitude during the collapsed government-opposition negotiations was “tantamount to acting against the interests of the people and the province”.
Naqvi travelled to Peshawar on Sunday and met Kundi at the Governor House, where the two leaders discussed the province’s worsening law and order situation, the political fallout of the failed negotiations and developments around the PTI’s long march, which set off from Lakki Marwat earlier in the day.
What Kundi and Naqvi said after the meeting
According to a statement issued after the meeting, the two leaders said the K-P government’s attitude and role regarding counterterrorism operations during the talks had been against the interests of the people and the province.
The meeting noted that after an agreement had been reached on resolving the issues, the provincial government had reversed its position, which the statement described as obstinacy and irresponsibility. The two sides also voiced concern that terrorists could be facilitated through security checkpoints during the long march.
The meeting was also attended by K-P Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed and Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah.
The collapsed counterterrorism talks
The meeting came as the second round of negotiations between the government and the opposition ended without result, with the threat of governor’s rule or an emergency hanging over the province amid the deteriorating security situation. Kundi had earlier warned that an emergency could be imposed if needed to “save the province” as the PTI began its long march.
Under Article 232 of the Constitution, the president can declare an emergency in a province if satisfied that a grave emergency exists. K-P, which borders Afghanistan, has borne the brunt of the recent surge in militant attacks.
Kundi said the province had “sacrificed enough” and that every institution must work together to protect the people and defeat terrorism. “The security of our people remains our foremost priority,” he wrote on X after the meeting.
Helicopter use flagged as contempt of court
Both leaders criticised the use of government helicopters and official resources by the K-P chief minister and provincial ministers during the long march, calling it an open violation of Islamabad High Court verdicts. The court’s 37-page detailed judgment of September 18 had warned that government funds, vehicles, machinery or officials could not be used for any political march toward Islamabad.
Writing on X, Kundi said Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s arrival at Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat by official helicopter to lead the march amounted to contempt of court and a blatant violation of judicial directives. “When the chief minister himself does not uphold the court’s orders and uses state resources for political activities, what expectation can there be for his workers to abide by the law?” he wrote.
Naqvi was sarcastic in his own post: “Sohail Afridi Sahib’s heli ride today from Peshawar to Lakki Marwat must have been for official work, possibly related to the security situation and counterterrorism efforts.”
Related: CM Afridi Rejects Governor’s Rule as PTI Long March Moves Through K-P, Asif, Tarar Fire Fresh Salvoes at PTI After Talks Deadlock, Naqvi Blames K-P CM for Talks ‘Collapse’, Naqvi: PTI Backed Out of Nine Commitments
Frequently asked questions
What did Kundi and Naqvi say about the counterterrorism talks?
They said the K-P government’s attitude and role regarding counterterrorism operations during the government-opposition negotiations was tantamount to acting against the interests of the people and the province.
Who attended the Peshawar meeting?
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, K-P IGP Zulfiqar Hameed and Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah.
Why is the helicopter use controversial?
The Islamabad High Court ruled on September 18 that government funds, vehicles, machinery and officials cannot be used for a political march toward Islamabad. Kundi called the chief minister’s helicopter trip contempt of court.
