Kundi says PTI govt never passed resolution condemning drone attacks

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Thursday said the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in the province had never passed a resolution in the provincial assembly condemning drone attacks, despite repeatedly raising the issue on the floor of the house.

Addressing a ceremony in Peshawar, Kundi said the provincial assembly had witnessed repeated protests over drone strikes, but the PTI government had taken no practical steps to condemn them through a formal resolution.

He said the attacks had taken place under “extreme compulsion”, while the provincial government had failed to respond to threats emanating from Afghanistan.

“Threats were coming from Afghanistan, but the provincial government did nothing,” he said, adding that the government had also failed to convene meetings of the provincial apex committee.

Kundi further criticised deposed chief minister Sohail Afridi, saying he did not attend the funerals of security personnel and other victims who had been killed in terrorist attacks.

The governor said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had suffered from terrorism for several years, recalling that the state had witnessed one of the world’s largest internal displacements in Swat before terrorism was brought under control.

He said the province needed to become more prosperous, stronger and better developed.

On media affairs, Kundi said the Governor House was not merely a government building but a public institution. He welcomed proposals concerning press freedom, newspaper independence and media rights.

He also pledged to take up the issue of outstanding payments to newspapers with his adviser and work towards resolving it.

Kundi said journalism was undergoing major changes and stressed the importance of supporting a free press.