Kundi vows action against terrorism as KP governor chairs first advisory council meeting

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Sunday declared restoring peace and eliminating terrorism the provincial administration’s top priorities, pledging to strengthen the police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), take action against militants and their facilitators, and improve transparency across public institutions.

Chairing the first meeting of the 11-member advisory council at the Governor House in Peshawar, Kundi said that the province had paid a heavy price for terrorism and that its people must be provided an environment in which they could feel safe.

The federal government had earlier announced an 11-member advisory council for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and a separate administrative secretariat to oversee 12 terrorism-affected districts

Governor Kundi said that the federal government had placed its trust in the advisory council to improve governance and address the province’s challenges, adding that members would be expected to work towards restoring peace, ensuring the rule of law and promoting development.

“Peace is the foremost priority; everything else comes afterwards,” Kundi said, reiterating that the government would use all available resources to improve law and order and rid the province of terrorism.

The governor said the police and other relevant institutions would receive full support, while the capacity of the police and CTD would be enhanced to tackle terrorism. He added that the state was determined to bring militants and their facilitators to justice in accordance with the law.

He said the National Action Plan would be implemented fully and warned that immediate action would be taken against violations of the law. At the same time, he stressed that all state measures would remain within the framework of the Constitution and the law.

“Anyone who remains within the bounds of the law will be fully protected,” Kundi said, adding that the objective of the extraordinary measures was to enforce the law and eliminate terrorism.

Focus on governance, transparency

The governor also pledged a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and called for improvements in the delivery of public services, saying ordinary citizens should not have to make repeated visits to government offices to get their work done.

He said transparency would be introduced in education, healthcare, the justice system and other public sectors, stressing that better governance was essential for the province’s recovery and development.

Kundi said the state had a responsibility to pay greater attention to areas facing deprivation and to address the grievances of people who had suffered because of prolonged insecurity.

He urged the advisory council to work collectively for the province’s progress and prosperity, saying that restoring public confidence in institutions would be an important part of the effort.

Youth, employment and development

Highlighting the need to provide opportunities to young people, Kundi said the province’s youth represented the country’s future and that the state was responsible for ensuring access to education and employment.

He said young people should be given books and pens instead of guns, expressing the hope that a peaceful environment would allow them to pursue their ambitions and contribute to society.

The governor also linked improved security with economic growth, saying lasting peace would help promote tourism and create opportunities for development in a province rich in natural resources.

He said the government wanted to steer Khyber Pakhtunkhwa back towards peace and prosperity and provide its people with the rights and opportunities they deserved.

Security forces praised

Kundi paid tribute to security forces for the sacrifices they had rendered in the fight against terrorism, saying police personnel and other law enforcement agencies had endured immense losses in restoring security.

He reiterated that all available capabilities would be deployed to establish peace across the province, acknowledging that the challenges were considerable but insisting that the government’s resolve was stronger.

“The difficulties are many, but our determination is greater than the challenges,” he said.

Kundi added that the state was committed to ensuring that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa once again became a place of peace and development.

He also announced that an Apex Committee meeting would be held on Monday to discuss matters relating to the province’s security and the measures required to improve law and order.

The advisory council’s first meeting comes amid heightened attention to security and governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the federal government’s decision to impose governor’s rule in the province. The governor’s address emphasised security, the implementation of the National Action Plan, institutional accountability and improved public services as central priorities.

Kundi said that the government would work to fulfil the expectations of the people, adding that the ultimate objective was to establish lasting peace, strengthen public institutions and put the province back on the path to prosperity.