Governor Kundi vows to convey JI demands to PM, President

PESHAWAR, Aug 31 (APP): Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Monday lauded the peaceful conduct of Jamaat-e-Islami’s sit-in here on Sher Shah Suri road, saying democratic and political issues should be resolved through dialogue instead of confrontation.

Addressing the participants of the sit-in, the Governor congratulated the Jamaat-e-Islami leadership and workers for holding what he described as a peaceful protest.

“The sit-in remained completely peaceful and not even a flowerpot or a glass was damaged,” he said, appreciating the discipline shown by the protesters.

Governor Kundi said he had earlier held detailed discussions with Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman at Mansoorah on political issues and stressed the need for political unity on matters concerning public welfare.

He recalled that political parties had previously united when the federal government suspended CNG supplies and imposed restrictions on wheat, and had also jointly raised their voice on issues related to the former FATA and PATA tax exemptions.

The Governor said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continued to face the challenge of terrorism and emphasized that the province needed lasting peace and greater facilities for the poor.

Referring to the protest’s demands, he suggested that the government should withdraw the petroleum levy and urged the federal leadership to engage with the protesters through negotiations.

“Even wars ultimately end at the negotiating table, therefore dialogue should always be the preferred option,” he remarked.

Governor Kundi said he would convey the concerns of the protesters to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari to help find an amicable solution to the issue.

He also said he had informed PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari before attending the sit-in, adding that Bilawal had encouraged him to participate and listen to the concerns of the protesters.