Imran’s release unlikely, sons won’t come to Pakistan: K-P Governor

Merger of FATA with K-P cannot be undone without a constitutional amendment, says the K-P governor

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Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has said that the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan from prison appears unlikely, adding that his sons are also not expected to return to Pakistan.

Addressing senior journalists in Peshawar on Saturday, Kundi dismissed speculation about the involvement of Khan’s sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, in PTI’s upcoming protest campaign. “It is highly unlikely they will come back,” he said, reiterating that prospects of Imran Khan’s release remain slim.

Earlier this month, Khan’s sister Aleema Khan claimed that both sons would join the party's anti-government protest movement, expected to begin in August. She had also stated that the former prime minister would lead the campaign “from inside the jail”.

Reports suggest that Khan’s sons have held meetings with key figures in the United States ahead of their possible visit to Pakistan.

However, Governor Kundi appeared dismissive of these developments, describing them as political optics rather than reality.

On the broader political and administrative front, the governor stressed the need for a tribal jirga to address unresolved issues in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). He proposed that the jirga include tribal elders, ex-parliamentarians, and political stakeholders from the region.

“The merger of FATA with K-P cannot be undone without a constitutional amendment,” he said, urging the federal government to release the development funds that were promised at the time of the merger.

Turning to the security situation in the province, Kundi painted a grim picture. “The law and order situation is dire. Extortion is being collected openly — even in broad daylight — from traders, local leaders, and ordinary citizens,” he said. “In Dera Ismail Khan, people avoid stepping out of their homes after Asr prayers due to fear.”

He also criticised what he termed the federal government’s Punjab-centric approach to national initiatives. “Schemes like the laptop programme, youth development projects, and Daanish Schools have excluded the youth of K-P,” he said.

Commenting on the state of sports infrastructure, Kundi described the renovation of Peshawar’s Arbab Niaz Stadium as substandard and said the lack of quality sports facilities was one reason why Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches have not been held in the province.

On PTI’s internal politics, the governor claimed the party was facing deep factionalism in K-P. “They cannot even bring out 20 vehicles for their planned protest on August 5,” he concluded.