PESHAWAR, Jun 23 (APP):Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Tuesday expressed concern over the law and order situation in the province, saying police and FC personnel were performing their duties under war-like conditions on the frontline against terrorism. Talking to participants of the 46th Mid-Career Management Course during a meeting at the Governor House, the Governor said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s proximity to the Afghan border, foreign interference and abandoned weapons …
Governor highlights security, economic, resource challenges in KP
PESHAWAR, Jun 23 (APP):Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Tuesday expressed concern over the law and order situation in the province, saying police and FC personnel were performing their duties under war-like conditions on the frontline against terrorism.
Talking to participants of the 46th Mid-Career Management Course during a meeting at the Governor House, the Governor said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s proximity to the Afghan border, foreign interference and abandoned weapons in the region had contributed to security challenges.
He said the police force was engaged in a type of conflict for which it had not originally been trained, yet was bravely confronting terrorist threats.
Referring to security concerns, he said apprehensions existed regarding the alleged involvement of some Afghan nationals in terrorist activities and said that repeated requests had been made to Afghanistan for action against militants, but adequate cooperation had not been forthcoming.
The Governor said closure of border routes was causing economic losses to both countries, adding that the repatriation of illegally residing Afghan nationals had been initiated in line with international norms. He said Pakistan welcomed Afghan citizens entering the country through legal channels.
Discussing regional affairs, Kundi said Pakistan had responded effectively to Indian aggression following the Pulwama incident and that international pressure had helped avert a wider conflict.
He also said Pakistan had played a mediatory role during tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States, contributing to regional stability through diplomacy.
The Governor said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produced some of the cheapest electricity in the country but was supplied power at higher rates. He added that despite being among the leading producers of oil and gas, the province continued to face electricity and gas load-shedding.
He said thousands of posts allocated to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Wapda remained vacant and pointed to issues such as CNG closures and other economic difficulties. He stressed that constitutional rights and resource shares of the province must be ensured, including water rights under the 1991 Water Accord.
Highlighting the province’s potential, Kundi said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa offered vast opportunities in tourism, religious tourism and sports.
He said that while educational institutions were increasing, lack of funds remained a major challenge, with universities facing financial constraints and difficulties in paying salaries and pensions.
The Governor said both treasury and opposition parties in the province shared a common stance on securing provincial rights from the federation.
He added that merged tribal districts had yet to receive their due share of resources and alleged that funds allocated for those areas had not been utilized effectively.
He said the province’s population and geographical area had expanded significantly after the merger of the former tribal districts, making a new NFC Award necessary.
He added that discussions were underway with regarding the establishment of an oil refinery and fertilizer industry in the province, while emphasizing that local communities should receive a share in mineral development projects.
