Governor Kundi refuses to sign budget session summary

PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday refused to immediately sign the summary for convening a provincial assembly session to present the budget, escalating tensions between the governor’s office and the PTI-led provincial government.

“I’ve received the summary to call the session and am reviewing it,” Kundi said. “Under the Constitution, I have 14 days to sign it. I’m not bound to approve it today.” The governor made it clear he wouldn’t yield to pressure, saying, “I won’t sign any summary under threats or coercion from the chief minister or anyone else.”

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In strongly worded remarks, Kundi accused “anarchic elements” of attacking state institutions and warned against corruption, stating, “I’m not afraid of those who are enabling corruption in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.” He also advised Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to “stop his threats and bluster.”

The refusal delays the provincial budget presentation amid an ongoing standoff between the central government and KP’s opposition-led administration. Legal experts suggest that if the governor exceeds the 14-day constitutional limit without action, the assembly speaker could potentially convene the session independently.

The development comes as the June 30 constitutional deadline for provincial budget approvals approaches, raising concerns about potential fiscal disruptions in the province.