PESHAWER(National Times)- 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 \u201cour policies will now come from Islamabad, not Kabul\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGone 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 \u2026 We will have coordination with the Centre; our policies will come from Islamabad \u2026 not Kabul, Jalalabad or Kahandar. It is clear,\u201d Kundi said at a press conference in Peshawar a day after taking the helm in KP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kundi assumed executive control of the province after the Centre imposed governor\u2019s rule in KP and emergency in 12 of its districts, citing security situation and alleged non-cooperation of the now non-functional provincial government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In days preceding the Centre\u2019s move, tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led KP government had remained high, initially just over the party\u2019s planned march to Islamabad to demand the release of its founder, Imran Khan, and later over the Centre\u2019s accusation that its provincial government was not cooperating on counterterrorism. Federal ministers also accused the PTI\u2019s KP government of facilitating terrorists and not taking action against them \u2014 allegations seemingly behind Kundi\u2019s Kabul reference as Pakistan continues to raise the issue of cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The KP governor\u2019s 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\u2019s law enforcers, who are on the frontline in the fight against terrorism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said the new setup in the province would \u201cnot compromise on police\u201d, pledging enhanced support and a pay raise for its law enforcers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u201cshown confidence in us\u201d and to meet its expectations, \u201cour first priority is the fight against terrorism\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kundi issued a message to the army, police, Frontier Constabulary (FC) and security institutions, saying: \u201cOur committee, this government, is standing side by side with you and will support you fully.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that during Sunday\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI want to say on behalf of this government that we are by your side,\u201d he said addressing law enforcers, adding, \u201cWhatever weapons you want, whatever you need, we will get them to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kundi stressed, \u201cWe will not compromise on our police officers and personnel. We will equip them well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf they are not the highest, they will at least be equal [to those of the personnel in other areas].\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The governor also said that disbursements under the martyrs\u2019 package would be increased, and the children of martyrs would be given free education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kundi also thanked the KP public for \u201crejecting the circus\u201d that had been ongoing for a few days, referring to the PTI\u2019s long march that began on Oct 4. \u201cI thank KP\u2019s public that they have rejected this 13-year nuisance,\u201d he said, referring to the PTI\u2019s rule in the province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur priority, our focus, is peace plus development,\u201d the governor stressed. \u201cWe will work 24\/7, we will deliver hope to people, to our young people, to the business community \u2026 that this is not your fight now, it is ours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, he called on the business community, saying that he would work with them to solve their issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen there is peace here, people will come to do business and investment \u2026 and the youth will have employment,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kundi also criticised the PTI and accused it of to \u201cfight their case\u201d to the Centre, adding, \u201cWe will fight our case with arguments, not with abusive language.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Responding to a question, he said that work was being done on restoring internet services, and that the roads would also be opened up again in a day or two and life would return to normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Separately, the interior minister posted about the provision of APCs on X, saying that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed the immediate transfer of the vehicles in view of the prevailing security situation in the province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe fight against terrorism is our collective responsibility,\u201d Naqvi said. \u201cThe federal government stands firmly with KP police and will extend every possible support to defeat terrorism and protect our people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier in the day, Naqvi held a meeting of the newly established Area Development Secretariat in KP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ADS has established in KP districts placed under emergency to \u201crestore law and order, safeguard the security of the citizens of Pakistan and ensure good governance and development\u201d, according to an Oct 11 government order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his meeting, Naqvi said that consulting the tribal elders was the \u201cmost important\u201d at this point in the fight against the terrorism in KP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need to ask these (tribal) representatives about what their issues are so we can resolve them,\u201d he said, reiterating the need to empower the KP police and law enforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf we are spending Re1 in other parts of KP, we need to spend Rs3 here,\u201d Naqvi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commenting on ADS, he emphasised that the federal government had established a separate secretariat to specifically deal with the problems of the 12 districts under emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKP is a single province,\u201d he clarified, rejecting the impression that the establishment of ADS was an attempt to dissociate the merged districts from the province. \u201cWe will work collectively in these 12 regions,\u201d Naqvi said, adding that the PM was also overseeing the developments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kundi, Naqvi chair apex committee meeting
Earlier in the day, Kundi and Naqvi co-chaired a meeting of the provincial apex committee, a day after the imposition of governor\u2019s rule and an emergency in the province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Addressing the meeting, Kundi \u2014 who is now in charge of running the province \u2014 asserted that under the new set-up, tackling terrorism would be the priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe can sacrifice our development, but never security,\u201d Kundi vowed as he noted a \u201clack of synergy\u201d in counterterrorism efforts in the province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow it will show that there is (synergy),\u201d he said, adding that the administration will \u201cfulfil the demands of the Counter-Terrorism Department and police\u201d. He stressed that the administration will \u201cwork 24\/7\u201d as the federal government and the \u201cpeople had put their faith in us\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have to show the difference,\u201d Kundi said, adding that there was no time for holidays or weekends. He stressed that the administration was moving towards \u201cresult-oriented\u201d actions, rather than cosmetic measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Noting the scourge of terrorism in the province, the governor said that the \u201cpeople have no freedom to live, travel and do other things\u201d in districts such as Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Waziristan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He called for working towards restoring freedom of movement for people in terrorism-affected districts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPeople from our province also want peace, prosperity and development,\u201d he said. Kundi expressed the hope that the new administration be remembered well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt should be written in history that these people came and restored peace in the province,\u201d he said. The governor added that he will hold apex committee meetings regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Co-chairing the meeting alongside Kundi, Naqvi remarked: \u201cToday is the first time I can proudly say that the federal and the provincial governments are on the same page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn the past 2.5 years, we have seen many ups and downs,\u201d Naqvi said. The minister stated that the most difficult work was that the war against terrorism was being fought with \u201cno backend support\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Criticising the PTI-led government, he said: \u201cIt was the [provincial] government\u2019s job to lead the war against terrorism, but they did not do it. They kept bowing their heads only because they did not want to compromise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut any war, no matter how many resources you have, cannot be won until the government leads it,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot once, not twice; we requested them to work with us dozens of times,\u201c Naqvi emphasised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne thing I will ask you to note is that this is the same force, these are the same people, but the only difference you will see is that \u2026 the same people will show you results.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He further said: \u201cIt\u2019s not like things will change in a day; there will be difficult times. But all of us, including the governor, police, administration, and the federal government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have to face and defeat them together. Our intentions are pure; God will help us produce results.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to an official handout, the forum directed relevant institutions to ensure \u201ccoordinated, effective and decisive\u201d steps for eradicating terrorism and establishing sustainable peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe forum made it clear that intelligence-based operations against terrorist activities would continue and all available resources would be utilised to improve the law and order situation,\u201d it said, adding that the need to improve the operational capability of police and the CTD was also stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The body decided to provide these departments with modern equipment, necessary vehicles, effective weapons, required personnel and all other necessary resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was also agreed during the meeting that the resolution of problems being faced by the people, provision of basic facilities and service delivery at people\u2019s doorstep would be ensured, the handout said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For this purpose, suggestions from the public, their needs and priorities of the local population would be considered during policymaking, it added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kundi meets chief secretary, police chief
Earlier in the day, Kundi chaired a high-level security meeting with the new chief secretary, Dr Muhammad Fakhr Alam Irfan, newly appointed Home Affairs Adviser Kifayatullah Khan, and Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a post on X, Kundi said the meeting reviewed the security situation and counterterrorism efforts in KP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur police officers stand on the front lines of this fight, making immense sacrifices to protect our people. Their welfare, fair compensation and the future of their families must remain a priority.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He expressed his administration\u2019s commitment to \u201cstrengthening the police and CTD and ensuring our personnel receive the support they deserve\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKhyber Pakhtunkhwa has sacrificed enough. Our priority is to protect our people and restore lasting peace,\u201d the governor declared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kundi also met Minister for States and Frontier Regions Amir Muqam, who called on him at the Governor House, state-run APP reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two leaders exchanged views on the prevailing situation in the province, with particular focus on maintaining peace, strengthening security and addressing issues affecting the lives of the people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They emphasised the need for effective measures and close cooperation to improve the law and order situation and eliminate terrorism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kundi and Muqam contended that the people of KP had rejected the politics of chaos and confrontation, stressing that peace, stability and public welfare should remain the top priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They reaffirmed their commitment to extending all possible cooperation and taking practical steps to counter security challenges and promote stability in the province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A day earlier, Kundi addressed the first meeting of the KP Advisory Council \u2014 formed by the federal government after the imposition of emergency and governor\u2019s rule \u2014 where he outlined similar directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have to fast-track things. There will be zero tolerance for corruption. Things should be done in a timely manner,\u201d he said, adding that they would have to demonstrate a clear difference from the work done by their predecessors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sunday\u2019s directives came after a meeting of the federal cabinet deliberated on the security situation in PTI-led KP. During the meeting, the cabinet noted the provincial government\u2019s \u201cdeliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Subsequently, the federal government imposed emergency under Article 232 and governor\u2019s rule under Article 234.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soon after, it also authorised the deployment of Pakistan Army troops and assets in aid of civil power in the province. On the ground, shipping containers were placed around the city of Peshawar to block several roads, with heavy police deployment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, federal ministers alleged that the PTI-led government in KP had a \u201cnexus\u201d with terrorist groups, as the Centre sought to explain that the province\u2019s security situation necessitated the imposition of emergency there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Centre and the PTI have been at odds over various issues, particularly on the counterterrorism policy, which was one of the main reasons behind the breakdown of their October 3 talks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The PTI has said it was being left out of security decisions concerning KP, which the Centre has denied. It also calls for reviewing the counterterrorism policy and opposes military operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the other hand, the Centre has been criticising the KP government\u2019s efforts to combat terrorism in the province and objects to its stance on dialogue with the Afghan Taliban.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
61 law officers removed; 27 new appointed
Following the proclamation of emergency in KP, the provincial law department de-notified 61 law officers of the advocate general\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These included 26 additional advocates general (AGs), 31 assistant AGs and four advocates-on-record (AORs), according to a notification issued late on Sunday and seen by Dawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another notification, dated Oct 11, was issued to appoint 27 new law officers, including 12 additional AGs, 13 assistant AGs and two AORs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Out of these, six additional AGs, eight assistant AGs, and one AOR were stationed in Peshawar, along with an assistant AG in the Peshawar Service Tribunal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One additional AG and one assistant AG were each stationed in DI Khan, Bannu, Swat and Abbottabad. Two additional AGs and an AOR were placed in Islamabad to represent KP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The government had already de-notified then-AG Shah Faisal Uthmankhel and replaced him with a senior lawyer, Sanaullah, who was earlier serving as an additional AG representing the federal government.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PESHAWER(National Times)- 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 \u201cour policies will now come from Islamabad, not Kabul\u201d. \u201cGone are the days when there was no coordination between the Centre and the province. Gone […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":134740,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-134739","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest_news","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n