Governor Kundi Says Consultation Held on Governor’s Rule in KP

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has said that consultations have taken place over the possibility of imposing Governor’s Rule in the province, amid growing political tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led provincial administration.

Speaking to the media in Peshawar, Kundi said the situation in the province had become a matter of concern, citing law and order, terrorism and governance issues.

His remarks come days after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the federal government was consulting the Law Ministry over available legal options for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Governor’s Rule. However, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar subsequently said the federal government had no plan to impose Governor’s Rule in the province.

Kundi also criticised proposed changes to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Act, saying the provincial government was seeking greater control over police appointments and administration.

He said police personnel in the province receive among the lowest salaries and argued that the government should focus on improving their facilities rather than seeking greater political control over the force.

The governor said he would oppose any legislation that weakened the independence of the police. His comments followed the provincial cabinet’s approval of proposed changes concerning the appointment of the Inspector General and other senior police officers.

Kundi said the provincial government wanted to turn the police into a force under its direct political influence, an allegation the provincial government has not accepted.

Kundi said Governor’s Rule was not unconstitutional and maintained that consultations on the matter had already taken place.

However, his latest remarks differ from comments he made earlier this week, when he said Governor’s Rule had not been discussed during his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and that the focus was on law and order in the province.

The Prime Minister’s Office has separately said that Shehbaz Sharif and Kundi discussed the overall political situation, law and order and coordination between the federal and provincial governments during their September 15 meeting.

Commenting on the PTI’s planned long march towards Islamabad, Kundi questioned the party’s preparations and said PTI lawmakers were not demonstrating the level of mobilisation associated with a major political march.

He also alleged that some PTI members were seeking arrest and suggested that the party could announce an end to the march within days.

The PTI has announced plans for a September 27 march on Islamabad, while federal authorities have warned against using government resources for the political activity. The Islamabad High Court has also directed authorities to ensure that state machinery and public resources are not used to facilitate the march.

The political dispute comes as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continues to face security and governance challenges, with the federal and provincial governments at odds over law and order, police administration and the planned PTI protest.