Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday blamed statements by the PTI-led provincial government for the recent evacuation of residents from Tirah Valley in Khyber district.
The federal and provincial governments have recently traded barbs over who authorised the evacuation process after hundreds of Tirah residents vacated their homes ahead of a planned military action against terrorists.
Speaking to reporters in Khyber’s Bara tehsil — where families displaced from Tirah have arrived — Kundi noted that while there is usually around 20 per cent “migration” during winters, it was 50 to 60pc this year.
“It is 50 to 60pc this time because statements were repeatedly made that perhaps an operation will be conducted in Tirah, so people vacated.”
“In my opinion, people are suffering today due to the failure and weakness of our province’s government.”
The governor noted that the KP government issued a “barrage of statements and compelled these people to leave the area,” adding that the residents realised the situation was different when they reached Bara.
He noted that, usually, people do not live in “tent villages” after evacuating during winters, but stay in the homes of host families.
Kundi stressed that whenever a military operation is planned, official statements are issued and necessary preparations are made.
KP Opposition Leader Ibadullah Khan, who belongs to the PML-N, also accompanied the governor on his visit to Bara.
Speaking to reporters alongside Kundi, Ibadullah said their Bara visit aimed to meet the people who had come from Tirah and “see the ground situation” and the issues faced by the area residents.
“This is our duty, these are our people,” he said.
Kindi also extended an offer to KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for dialogue with the federal government to resolve various issues.
Noting that the PPP was an ally of the PML-N-led ruling coalition in the Centre, Kundi said: “Therefore, we have always suggested to them that if they have any issue with the Centre, they should make a committee or a jirga and we are ready to accompany you.”
The governor lamented that the PTI was willing to “hold jirgas with militants but was not ready to convene a jirga or sit with Punjab or the Centre”.
“They are ready to work with the country’s enemies but not those who work for the country’s stability.
“[…] If there is anything under the Centre’s responsibility, we are ready to play our role, but the provincial government should bring forth its case.”
The governor noted that the law and order situation in Dera Ismail Khan, as well as the southern and merged districts of KP, was “not that good,” adding that security personnel and residents were making sacrifices.
“Come, let’s sit with Centre, with security agencies to bring peace in the province, as well as development and prosperity,” the governor reiterated.
Noting that the KP CM hailed from the merged districts, the governor said he should “provide a solution for the injustices that he says people there have faced in the past”.
“I will again ask my province’s government to come to its senses. Leave aside Qaidi No.804 — he will come out of jail after facing punishment for his acts.”
Kundi went on to quip that the PTI had the option to “form two parties”, one for its “Tehreek-i-Intishaar” (Incitement movement) and the other to run KP. He also noted CM Afridi’s frequent visits outside KP, including to Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi.
“If you have a mandate — however you got it — you should work for your province’s development,” the governor said, adding that people often requested facilitation for their medical treatment in Sindh and other places.
He noted that Ibadullah and other opposition lawmakers informed CM Afridi of various issues “daily, but he remains unmoved”.
Kundi asked the chief minister to fix KP’s governance and take steps for peace in the province.
