Naqvi claims party head “extremely upset” at being denied KP governorship
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi claimed on Friday that the head of a political party was “extremely upset” at being denied the KP governorship. He levelled the allegation while speaking to journalists in Lahore, but he did not name the politician in question.
“The head of a party is extremely upset over being denied a role in the imposition of governor rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and not getting the governorship,” Naqvi said, according to Dawn.
Naqvi alleges decades of dependence on establishment
The interior minister went further, alleging that the unnamed politician had stayed in politics for decades with the backing of the establishment. He claimed the same politician had even relied on the establishment to arrange air tickets for members of his own party.
“These are the same politicians who remained in politics for decades with the support of the establishment,” Naqvi said. He added that such leaders had little justification for criticising others now, after benefiting from the very system they currently denounced.
Naqvi also advised political leaders to argue on facts rather than trade accusations. “Political differences are part of politics,” he said. “But instead of using inappropriate language and making allegations, political leaders should speak on the basis of arguments and facts.”
The Mohsin Naqvi KP governor claim in context
Naqvi’s remarks come days after the federal government imposed governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, along with a state of emergency. The Centre cited the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism as the reason.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition and from Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Fazl has accused the Centre of reneging on commitments made during his mediation efforts, and his party has rejected the decision “word for word”, vowing to challenge it in parliament, the courts and on the streets.
The confrontation follows weeks of high tension. The PTI, which was in government in KP, announced a protest march to Islamabad to demand the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. Intense negotiations a week before the imposition of governor’s rule failed to produce a breakthrough, even though both sides held separate meetings with Fazl to seek his help in ending the deadlock. The PTI has since warned it could quit the assemblies if governor’s rule is imposed.
Naqvi raises tribal districts, security situation
During the same interaction, Naqvi turned to the former tribal districts, questioning why political voices had stayed silent for years while the merged areas were denied their rightful share of resources. The rights and resources of the people of those districts, he said, should be treated as an issue above political interests.
He also said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was facing serious security challenges and urged political leaders to play a constructive role in restoring peace. “Instead of fanning the flames and creating unrest, political leaders should play their role in restoring law and order and eliminating terrorism,” he said, adding that the province needed peace, stability and collective effort rather than political confrontation.
His comments echo the federal government’s stated justification for the emergency measures, which link the reversal of governor’s rule to PTI cooperation on counterterrorism. Naqvi has previously accused the KP chief minister of sabotaging talks between the Centre and the province.
What happens next
The JUI-F has promised to contest the governor’s rule decision through every democratic and constitutional forum available. Meanwhile, the PTI’s protest plans and the federal government’s security operations in the province remain the two variables that will decide how long the emergency arrangement lasts.
*Source: Dawn*
Frequently asked questions
Who did Mohsin Naqvi accuse of wanting the KP governorship?
Naqvi did not name anyone. He referred only to the unnamed “head of a party” who, he claimed, was upset at being denied a role in the imposition of governor’s rule and the governorship itself.
Why was governor’s rule imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
The federal government imposed governor’s rule and an emergency in KP days ago, citing the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from counterterrorism efforts.
How has the opposition reacted?
The PTI and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman have strongly criticised the move. Fazl says the Centre broke commitments made during his mediation, while the PTI has warned of quitting the assemblies.
