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PESHAWAR, Jan 01 (APP): Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Thursday said that KP and Balochistan face similar security challenges due to their shared borders with Afghanistan and common cultural linkages, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to ensure lasting peace in both provinces.
He expressed these views while addressing the participants of the 18th National Workshop Balochistan visited the Governor House Peshawar. The delegation was led by Brigadier Bilal Ghafoor and comprised students and faculty members from various universities of Balochistan.
Welcoming the participants, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi extended New Year greetings and appreciated the initiative of bringing together youth and academia from different provinces.
During an interactive session, the workshop participants raised questions regarding the law and order situation, university affairs, development of the education sector, counter-terrorism measures, and the natural resources of the province.
Addressing the delegation, the Governor said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan share common cultural values and face similar security challenges due to their proximity to the Afghan border. He regretted that funds allocated for the war against terrorism were not utilized to enhance the capacity of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police.
He said that KP Police is a brave and highly professional force, but unfortunately it has not been provided with the modern weapons and facilities required to effectively counter terrorism.
The Governor added that the province is now facing Indian-backed terrorism from across the Afghan border, and political leaders across the province are deeply concerned about the deteriorating law and order situation in their respective areas.
Governor Kundi emphasized that sustainable peace is only possible through intelligence-based operations, questioning how terrorism can be eliminated without effective intelligence-led actions.
He expressed concern over hate-based propaganda against security institutions and stressed that political differences should be resolved within the political domain.
He further said that Afghan nationals have been found involved in several terrorist incidents in the province. Alongside security challenges, the Governor said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also suffered severe impacts of climate change over the past year.
Speaking on education, the Governor underlined the need for serious attention and concrete measures to improve the education sector.
He said that only Rs 4 billion has been allocated in the budget for 34 public sector universities of the province, adding that meaningful academic outcomes cannot be achieved without providing universities with adequate funding.
The Governor pointed out that despite the presence of oil, gas, and power generation resources, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has not been receiving its due share of benefits. “Instead of resolving issues, we are complicating them further,” he remarked.
Highlighting Pakistan’s improving global standing, Governor Kundi said that world leaders are visiting Pakistan, and all segments of society, including the business community, should benefit from these diplomatic engagements. He said Pakistan is currently witnessing success on the diplomatic front.
Referring to hydel power, he said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has vast potential in this sector. Concluding his address, the Governor said that educated youth are the country’s most valuable asset and it is through education, positive thinking, and skills that young people will lead Pakistan towards progress and prosperity.