Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has said that there is a possibility of imposing governor’s rule in the province, adding that the Constitution provides a mechanism for such a step. His remarks came on Friday as the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf prepared for its September 27 protest and long march towards Islamabad.
Speaking to reporters in Peshawar, Kundi said consultations had already taken place regarding governor’s rule in KP. He also criticised the provincial government over its approach to the police and claimed that PTI members were seeking ways to avoid arrest ahead of the planned demonstration.
Kundi’s comments came only days after Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar ruled out the possibility of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. On September 23, Tarar said the federal government had no intention of imposing the measure and said the province needed good governance and what he described as people’s rule.
The PTI has announced plans for a September 27 long march to Islamabad, with the party linking the protest to demands concerning its founder Imran Khan and constitutional supremacy. The political situation has also prompted increased security measures around Islamabad and restrictions on some routes leading towards the capital. The Islamabad High Court has separately ruled that political parties do not have a legal right to occupy public roads and other public places during protests.
Kundi also accused the KP government of attempting to bring the provincial police under political control, referring to the proposed changes as an effort to create a “tiger force”. He said the police needed better salaries and benefits rather than greater political control.
The governor said he would oppose measures that could undermine the independence of the police. Meanwhile, PTI leaders have maintained that their September 27 demonstration will be peaceful and recently instructed workers not to carry weapons or other potentially dangerous items.
The conflicting statements over governor’s rule highlight the growing political tensions between the federal authorities, the KP government and PTI ahead of the planned Islamabad march.
