Kundi banned from entering K-P House

Provincial govt spokesperson says governor should stay at Sindh House during visit to Islamabad

PESHAWAR:

 

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has imposed a ban on K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi’s stay at the K-P House in Islamabad, marking a new episode of confrontation between two of the province's most important officials.

The K-P government spokesperson, Barrister Saif, announced on Wednesday that the block allocated for the governor in the K-P House has been abolished. He said this decision was made in the last meeting of the provincial cabinet.

“The provincial cabinet was facing an issue regarding accommodation for ministers and assembly members during their stay in the federal capital. For the time being, the Governor's Annex will be used by provincial assembly members and ministers,” he said.

He said that alternative residential arrangements are being made for the K-P governor.

“Meanwhile, the governor should stay in Sindh House and not lose heart. The governor has several houses in Islamabad, so there is no shortage of accommodation for him there,” he added.

According to sources, the governor's belongings have been removed from the premises of the K-P House. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has also informed the relevant staff in this regard.

Meanwhile, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, speaking to the media, stated that closing the governor's annex in the K-P House is unconstitutional. He added that he would not impose any restrictions on the Chief Minister's visits to the Governor House.

Read Kundi vows to support K-P govt

"We will fight political battles in the political arena," he said.

Addressing a public rally on Friday, the K-P chief minister, who belongs to the PTI, warned the federal government that if it imposed governor’s rule in the province, his party would take over the Governor House.
In response to CM Gandapur's threat, Kundi said on Saturday that he held a constitutional position and knew how to protect it.

"If Ali Amin Gandapur wants to storm the Governor House, then he must know that we are ready to take whatever action is necessary to protect it," the governor said in a public meeting.

Kundi taunted Gandapur for fleeing confrontation in the past, stating that while an expressway was available in Islamabad for him to flee, here in K-P, he "would be dragged through the streets."

The governor, who belongs to the PPP, warned the chief minister to watch his language. "Whatever language is used in the future, the response will be likewise," he added.

Responding to the governor's statement during a court appearance in DI Khan the same day, the CM advised the governor to refrain from political discussions if he truly believes he holds a constitutional position.

"Otherwise, as the CM, I will shut down the grants, cars, and petrol allocated to the Governor House and declare it a historical heritage site, where the public will be allowed free entry," he added.
Both Faisal Karim Kundi and Ali Amin Gandapur hail from Dera Ismail Khan district of the K-P.