PPP leaders accuse KP govt of shirking war on terror responsibility

PESHAWAR: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) parliamentary leader in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Ahmad Karim Kundi on Wednesday criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led provincial government over what he described as its failure to take ownership of the war on terror, saying its confrontational politics with the federal government was pushing the province towards further instability.

Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Karim Kundi expressed disappointment over criticism of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari during a recent meeting of the provincial cabinet and said the provincial government should focus on improving its relationship with the Centre rather than creating confrontation.

He said the Constitution required the province to follow federal policy on matters falling within the federal domain.

“Does the provincial government follow the federal policy on the war on terror?” Kundi asked, questioning the KP government’s approach towards the security situation.

He alleged that the PTI-led provincial government was not taking ownership of the fight against terrorism despite the province being at the forefront of the conflict.

“Terrorism is once again raising its head in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the provincial government is not taking ownership of the war on terror,” he said.

Kundi said that the province had received substantial funds from the federal government under the war on terror head and questioned how the money had been utilised.

According to figures presented in the KP Assembly earlier this year, the province received Rs374.224 billion under the war-on-terror head over five years, while total federal transfers under the NFC Award and war-on-terror head amounted to about Rs3.489 trillion.

Kundi had also pointed out discrepancies of around Rs60 billion between figures contained in budget documents and those provided by the finance department.

The PPP leader said his party had always worked for the province and accused PTI of giving priority to confrontation and division.

“PPP has always worked for this province. We gave this province its identity and helped rid it of terrorism,” he said, referring to the party’s political record.

He criticised former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, accusing both of pursuing what he called politics of confrontation.

“Gola barood, disorder and the politics of attacking the federal government must end,” Kundi said, adding that talk of confrontation with the Centre was pushing the province into darkness.

He questioned whether the province’s problems could be resolved by improving relations with the federal government or by worsening them.

“Do the province’s circumstances improve by having better relations with the Centre or by worsening them?” he asked.

Governor’s powers

Kundi also defended Governor Faisal Karim Kundi’s role in convening security-related meetings, saying the governor had a constitutional right to call such a meeting and invite the inspector general of police.

“The governor has the constitutional right to convene a meeting on security and invite the IG,” he said, urging the chief minister to read and understand the Constitution and the powers assigned to different offices.

He said those who were lecturing others about the Constitution should themselves read it or engage in dialogue to resolve their differences.

The dispute over the governor’s role comes amid continuing political and security tensions between the KP government and the federal authorities. Similar disagreements over the governor’s role in security and administrative matters have previously surfaced in the province.

Kundi said the PTI should understand the difference between an emergency and governor’s rule, while stressing that the PPP preferred parliamentary debate and dialogue over confrontation on streets and public squares.

“We believe in debate and dialogue in parliament rather than at chowks and intersections,” he said.

‘Province returning to zero point’

Kundi said the PPP-led governments and allied parties had previously worked to restore normalcy in the province when terrorism posed a serious threat to the country.

“When there was talk that terrorists had reached Islamabad, we worked with allied parties and brought the situation in the province back to normal,” he said.

He alleged that the province had now been brought back to the “zero point” from where it had started its struggle against militancy.

“We had helped rid the province of terrorism, but today it has been brought back to the same zero point,” he said.

Kundi warned that continued political confrontation and the deteriorating security situation could have serious consequences for the province.

“This province is heading towards being in the hands of armed people,” he said.

He also accused PTI of repeatedly prioritising division over cooperation and said those criticising the PPP should first examine their own performance.

The PPP leader said the provincial government should stop its confrontation with the federal government and focus on security, governance and the problems faced by the people.

He further criticised the provincial cabinet for targeting Bilawal Bhutto and said the PPP chairman had provided the provincial leadership with an opportunity that, in his view, had not been properly utilised.

“Those who criticise the PPP should look within themselves,” Kundi said.

He reiterated that his party believed political disputes should be settled through constitutional and parliamentary mechanisms rather than confrontation.