Kundi calls PTI long march a 'circus', challenges leadership to cross Swabi

Says prime minister and president would decide whether to impose governor’s rule or an emergency in K-P

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday warned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership of serious consequences if its long march resulted in unrest, challenging party leaders to lead the protest themselves rather than sending workers to the front.

Addressing a press conference in Peshawar, the governor challenged the PTI leadership to cross Swabi on Friday if it had the courage to do so. Kundi also criticised the K-P government for its confrontational approach towards the federal government, saying a province had to be administered in coordination with the centre.

Dismissing the PTI’s march, he said: “It is not a long march; it is a circus moving from one city to another.” He added that the PTI’s May 9 protests continued to damage the party’s image and warned that any fresh attempt to create a similar situation would have consequences that future generations would remember.

“They say the workers should go into the protest without leaders. Where will you hide? If you dare, the leaders must come first. I know how to deal with you all,” he said.

The governor further said he knew how to defend the Governor House and was prepared to take responsibility for the consequences of the punitive measures he had ordered, whether minor or serious.

“I do not engage in mere rhetoric; I take action,” Kundi said, adding that the PTI should learn from the consequences of its previous confrontations and guide future generations towards democratic politics.

He advised the protesters to study Articles 149 and 131 of the Constitution, as well as Schedule Four, to understand the relevant legal provisions. He also announced that he would convene a meeting to discuss the law and order situation.

Criticises Sohail Afridi over law and order

Taking aim at K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Kundi questioned the provincial government’s ability to maintain law and order and protect its elected representatives.

“You should know who are kidnapping your people since you are the chief executive of the province. If you cannot protect your lawmakers, how will you protect the province and its people?” he asked.

He said the chief minister should have resigned instead of complaining about the abduction of lawmakers.

Highlighting the province’s administrative challenges, Kundi said doctors, university faculty members, nurses, teachers and employees of tehsil municipal administrations (TMAs) were on strike over various grievances.

He accused the provincial government of focusing on financial gains rather than resolving the problems confronting public-sector employees and government departments.

Kundi further stated that the province needed effective governance and pledged to protect its people and confront terrorism. “We will protect our province and fight against the terrorists on the front line,” he said, adding that his government would teach the provincial administration how to run the province.

Commenting on the possibility of imposing governor’s rule or an emergency in the province, he said the decision rested with the prime minister and the president, who were better placed to determine whether such a measure was necessary.