LOWER DIR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has said he will not negotiate with elements that do not recognize the state and the Constitution, stressing that the province’s problems cannot be resolved through sit-ins, abusive language or political confrontation.
Addressing a workers’ convention organized by the Pakistan People’s Youth and People’s Students Federation in Timergara, Kundi said practical steps were needed to address public issues in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He also said the imposition of taxes in the former PATA and FATA areas would not be accepted under any circumstances.
The convention was attended by a large number of PPP workers, youth representatives and local leaders from Lower Dir. PPP provincial chairman Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha, district president Nawabzada Ahmed Zeb, general secretary Naeem Khan, information secretary Nawabzada Irfan Khan and other party leaders also addressed the gathering.
Governor opposes taxes in merged areas
Kundi said any attempt to forcibly impose taxes in the former PATA and FATA regions would be resisted through a strong strategy.
He said the PPP believed in bringing young people into politics and added that youth would be given full representation in the upcoming local government elections.
“Youth are the valuable asset of the country,” he said, adding that providing them leadership opportunities was the need of the hour.
Kundi criticizes KP government
Expressing concern over the law and order situation in the province, the governor said funerals were being held daily and security personnel were rendering sacrifices, yet the provincial government was talking about negotiations with terrorists.
He said talks could not be held with elements that did not recognize Pakistan’s Constitution and state.
Kundi also criticized the provincial government over governance and financial issues, saying it had failed to secure funds from the federation under the merger of former tribal districts. He claimed the province was losing Rs800 billion annually because of what he called the government’s incompetence.
He also said the province had failed to secure wheat from Punjab, leaving people deprived of development projects and basic facilities.
Forests, CNG and wheat quota discussed
The governor alleged that the timber mafia was destroying forests and said the PTI government was no longer able to refer to its “Billion Tree Tsunami” project.
He said forest protection was an urgent need but the provincial government did not appear serious about the issue.
Kundi said the restoration of wheat quota from Punjab and reopening of closed CNG stations became possible due to his personal efforts, while the provincial government had failed to act effectively.
Referring to internal differences within PTI, he said there were “traitors” within the party itself. He claimed Sher Afzal Marwat had filed a constitutional petition for the reinstatement of former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur, but the provincial government itself opposed it.
The governor said he still stood by his previous position regarding Ali Amin Gandapur.
He also claimed that talks between Iran and the United States would soon be held in Islamabad, saying such engagement could become an important development for regional peace.
Other speakers described PPP as a party of youth and pledged to further strengthen organizational activities.
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