ABBOTTABAD, Jun 12 (APP): Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of its involvement in corruption and handing over the province to terrorists.
Addressing a ceremony at the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Secretariat here Thursday, the governor said those claiming to build a “State of Madina” had embezzled Rs. 33 billion worth of solar panels meant for mosques.
He took a jibe at JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, saying it took him 13 years to realize that PTI leaders were corrupt. “These political cousins are now accusing each other,” he remarked, referring to the previously friendly ties between PTI and JUI-F.
The governor was speaking at a ceremony held to distribute commendation certificates to PPP workers from Abbottabad who were injured during the May 26 “Save the Province” protest in Peshawar. He said the protest marked a turning point, reigniting the passion of a party that had been dormant for 15 years. “Hazara’s workers faced government oppression with courage,” Kundi said, adding that he had come on the direction of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to express gratitude.
Kundi asserted that the PPP had proposed a salary increase for government employees in the federal budget based on inflation and would work to reverse the tax imposed on solar panels, which he said unfairly burdened the poor. He also criticized the lack of facilities for farmers.
“There’s a clear difference between democratic parties and terrorist outfits,” he said, challenging PTI to submit to accountability if it believed it was clean. He condemned the May 9 incidents, reiterating that PPP workers were not involved in any attacks on martyrs’ memorials and accused PTI of consistently resorting to violence.
He demanded FIRs be registered against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister and Home Minister over violence against PPP workers, saying the party had approached the politically neutral police for justice.
The governor also alleged that PTI leadership sought an NRO following Indian aggression, adding that Pakistan Army’s strong 78-hour response had shocked India and its allies. He said Bilawal Bhutto was successfully advocating Pakistan’s case globally, which had boosted the country’s image and the morale of 250 million citizens.
On the performance of the provincial government, he said, “The Chief Minister says the province is self-sufficient, but in reality, he is self-sufficient only in corruption. It’s unclear whether his statements are made during the day or at night.”
Kundi affirmed that the PPP would continue to raise its voice for the public and pursue peaceful protests if required. “The May 26 protest was the beginning of a movement to reclaim people’s rights,” he said. “We won’t hesitate to protest at the district level if necessary.”
He added that the Governor House was open to all, and the number of people who visited over the past year was unprecedented.
PPP District President Syed Saleem Shah, also speaking at the event, condemned the police action on the May 26 protest. He warned that if the Chief Minister attempted a march on Islamabad, PPP would respond by returning to Peshawar with full force.
A resolution presented by District General Secretary Iftikhar Khan Tanoli Advocate, calling for a guard of honor for Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari upon his return to Pakistan in recognition of his diplomatic achievements, was passed with a majority.
