Governor urges CM to prioritise K-P issues

Calls for dialogue with striking Levies, Khasadars

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has called upon Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to prioritize the province's core issues, including terrorism, unemployment, and law and order, while also urging immediate dialogue to resolve the ongoing strike by Levies and Khasadar forces in the merged tribal districts.

Addressing media representatives on the sidelines of a scholarship distribution ceremony at the Northwest School of Medicine in Hayatabad, Governor Kundi emphasized that the provincial government must form a delegation to meet with the striking personnel and address their grievances. He also criticized the Sindh government's past conduct, noting that while it had welcomed former CM Gandpur on a previous visit, the focus should remain on K-P's pressing challenges.

On the broader political landscape, the Governor asserted that the Parliament is the sole legitimate forum for debating the creation of new provinces and administrative units. He accused the PTI-led provincial government of undermining local governance, stating that local body elections have been stalled and the powers of municipal institutions have been systematically curtailed since PTI came to power. He noted that elected local representatives have consistently protested for their due funds and authority. "All four provinces must empower their local bodies to ensure public issues are resolved at the grassroots level," he said.

Regarding the recent sit-in organized by Jamaat-e-Islami, Governor Kundi described the protest as peaceful and confirmed his participation on the directives of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. He also welcomed the government's decision to form a negotiation team to engage with the party.

Earlier, addressing the ceremony as chief guest, Governor Kundi distributed scholarships among 30 deserving students. He lauded the administration of Northwest School of Medicine for awarding merit-based financial aid and described investment in medical education as an investment in the future of society. "Talented youth must be provided with more scholarships and opportunities. Parents are making immense sacrifices for their children's education, and it is the collective duty of institutions and society to encourage and support deserving students," he remarked. He expressed confidence that the scholarship recipients would fulfill their professional responsibilities with excellence and contribute meaningfully to the healthcare sector in K-P and Pakistan.

In a separate event, the Governor attended the closing ceremony of a Risk Management Training Workshop organized by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and UNICEF for the Pakistan Boys Scouts Association. The ceremony was attended by Provincial Secretary Iftikhar Shamozai, Executive Director NDMA Air Commodore (retd) Tanvir Paracha, Acting Commissioner Hafiz Tariq Mahmood, Cadet College Battrasi Principal Brigadier (retd) Abdul Hafeez, UNICEF representatives, and scouts.