Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday blamed statements by the PTI-led provincial government for the recent evacuation of residents from Tirah Valley in the province’s Khyber district.
The federal and provincial governments have recently traded barbs over who authorised the evacuation process after hundreds of Tirah residents vacated their homes ahead of a planned military action against terrorists.
Speaking to reporters in Khyber’s Bara tehsil – where families displaced from Tirah have arrived – Kundi noted that while there was typically around 20 per cent “migration” during winters, it was between 50 to 60pc this year.
“It is 50 to 60pc this time because statements were repeatedly made that perhaps an operation will be conducted in Tirah, so people vacated [their homes].”
“In my opinion, people are suffering today due to the failure and weakness of our province’s government,” he said.
The governor noted that the KP government had issued a “barrage of statements and compelled these people to leave the area,” adding that the residents realised the situation was different when they reached Bara.
Kundi stressed that whenever a military operation was planned, official statements were issued and necessary preparations were made.
Speaking to reporters alongside Kundi, KP Opposition Leader Ibadullah Khan, who had accompanied the governor to Bara, said their visit aimed to meet the people who had come from Tirah and “see the ground situation” and the issues faced by the area residents.
“Unfortunately, the person who has government in this province is playing politics on everything,” the PML-N MPA said, referring to KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
Kundi also extended an offer to CM Afridi for dialogue with the federal government to resolve various issues.
Noting that the PPP was an ally of the PML-N-led ruling coalition in the Centre, Kundi said: “Therefore, we have always suggested to them that if they have any issue with the Centre, they should make a committee or a jirga and we are ready to accompany you.”
The governor lamented that the PTI was willing to “hold jirgas with militants but was not ready to convene a jirga or sit with Punjab or the Centre”.
“They are ready to work with the country’s enemies but not those who work for the country’s stability.
“[…] If there is anything under the Centre’s responsibility, we are ready to play our role, but the provincial government should bring forth its case.”
The governor noted that the law and order situation in Dera Ismail Khan, as well as the southern and merged districts of KP, was “not that good,” adding that security personnel and residents were making sacrifices.
“Come, let’s sit with Centre, with security agencies to bring peace in the province, as well as development and prosperity,” the governor reiterated.
Noting that the KP CM hailed from the merged districts, the governor said he should “provide a solution for the injustices that he says people there have faced in the past”.
Separately, Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday underscored that development and prosperity appeared elusive sans enduring peace in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The acting president met Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi here and detailed discussions were held on the overall political situation of the country, the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, good governance, and the province’s overall socio-political conditions, a Presidency’s news release said.
Gilani stated that Pakistan’s Upper House of Parliament, which ensures equal representation of all provinces, is playing an effective role in promoting development and prosperity across the country.
He emphasized that senators from all provinces serve as a strong voice for their respective regions and are actively working to address public issues. He reaffirmed the commitment to adopting a comprehensive and improved strategy to ensure balanced development and prosperity for all provinces.
The acting president paid rich tribute to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for their unparalleled bravery, sacrifices, and resilience in the fight against terrorism.